Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter made it clear on Thursday that being the top pick in April’s NFL draft is a huge priority for him. The dynamic University of Colorado star, known for his exceptional skills on both ends of the field, is eager to continue playing in a dual role in his professional football career.
At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Hunter, identified simply as “DB 15,” admitted that the thought of being the first overall selection is something he has seriously considered. “It’s super important,” Hunter shared. “Going No. 1 was always one of my dreams.”
Hunter’s talent shone brightly this past season, securing his status as college football’s premier two-way player. On the offensive front, he racked up an impressive 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, he contributed 33 tackles, 4 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. One of his standout performances came during Colorado’s final regular-season game against Oklahoma State, where he became the first FBS player in 25 years to score three touchdowns and snag an interception in the same game, according to ESPN Research.
Over the course of 12 games this past season, Hunter logged an astounding total of 1,380 snaps: 670 on offense, 686 on defense, and 24 on special teams. This margin was significantly more than any other FBS player, and he consistently exceeded 100 snaps in 10 out of those 12 games. In 2023, Hunter played 1,007 snaps for Colorado, demonstrating his remarkable endurance and talent.
Hunter expressed hope that whichever team drafts him, they will allow him to leverage his unique abilities on both sides of the ball. “I’ve been doing it for a long time, so I feel like I can keep doing it,” Hunter said with confidence. “It’s not my job to figure it out. If they give me the chance, I’ll be ready to play both roles.”
At the combine, Hunter was grouped with the defensive backs for meetings and interviews, yet he emphasized that he is still listed as both a defensive back and wide receiver. Teams have approached him with interest in his potential as both, which he’s ready to embrace. “Nobody has done it like I have, but I know the effort I put in to stay game-ready,” he explained, underscoring his commitment to maintaining peak performance in both roles.
When asked about how he would react if his NFL coaches suggested he stick to just offense or defense, Hunter expressed that he hoped they would allow him to prove himself capable of both. “I wish they would let me earn the other position,” he remarked.
For many in the NFL, the challenge with Hunter’s dual-role potential is managing his game and practice workload, especially considering the long grind of a 17-game season and the differing schedules for offensive and defensive team meetings. The Denver Broncos’ Pat Surtain II, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, played 902 snaps this past season over 16 games. These are numbers not too far removed from Hunter’s snap count in all phases during 2024.
Hunter insists he has a well-developed routine that aids his performance and recovery, which he believes will serve him well in the NFL. “They say nobody has done it like me,” Hunter said. “I tell teams I’m just different. At Colorado, Coach [Deion Sanders] let me listen to my body. I know better than anyone what’s right for it… I always made sure to get up early and do what needed to be done.”
Recently, Hunter has remained relatively independent, not communicating much with Sanders, who was also his coach at Jackson State. “He’s been giving me space to navigate this on my own,” Hunter mentioned. He values their “unbreakable father-son bond,” a relationship rooted deeply in mutual respect and understanding.
