Who is Travis Hunter? NFL’s ‘unicorn’ on shortlist for teams ahead of Draft Day

The NFL has seen its share of generational talents, but few have presented a challenge quite like Travis Hunter.

The 21-year-old, fresh off winning the Heisman Trophy, is a rare two-way player excelling as both a cornerback and wide receiver.

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, teams are struggling to determine the best way to utilize his unique skill set.

A unique talent

Hunter has dominated on both sides of the ball since high school, where he was the top-ranked recruit in the nation. Choosing to play under Deion Sanders at Jackson State in 2022, he later followed his coach to Colorado, where he cemented his legacy.

In his final college season, he became the first player in history to win both the Best Defensive Player and Best Receiver awards, recording four interceptions and 1,258 receiving yards with 15 touchdowns.

His impact extended beyond statistics—Hunter’s confidence and competitive spirit saw him striking the Heisman pose throughout the season before ultimately claiming the award, making him the first two-way player to do so since Charles Woodson in 1997.

NFL teams face dilemma

Despite his talent, NFL teams remain unsure how to use Hunter. Historically, two-way players have struggled to maintain a role in the league.

The last true two-way NFL star was Chuck Bednarik in the 1950s, with more recent examples like Deion Sanders and Julian Edelman only playing limited snaps on both sides.

Hunter, however, is adamant that he can handle the workload. At Colorado, he played an astonishing 87% of the team’s offensive snaps and 83% of defensive plays—averaging 111.5 snaps per game, 40 more than any NFL player last season.

The Tennessee Titans, holders of the first overall pick, have expressed interest, with head coach Brian Callahan suggesting Hunter could start at cornerback before being gradually integrated into the offense.

Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry called Hunter a “unicorn” and sees him primarily as a receiver. The New England Patriots, who hold the fourth pick, believe he will likely “major in one (position) and minor in the other.”

Will Hunter change the game?

Despite differing opinions, one thing is clear: Hunter is unlike any draft prospect in decades. He has drawn comparisons to Shohei Ohtani, the MLB’s two-way superstar, and believes he can redefine what is possible in the NFL.

“I know I can do it,” Hunter said confidently. “I did it at the college level, where you rarely get breaks. There are a lot more breaks in the NFL, so I know I can do it there too.”

As the draft approaches (April 24-26), all eyes will be on where Hunter lands—and whether an NFL team is willing to let him rewrite history.