Travis Hunter is generating massive excitement ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Selected 2nd overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he plans to play offense and defense regularly-something no NFL player has done consistently since Deion Sanders in the 1990s.
His versatility was on full display at Fanatics Fest, where he stunned crowds by excelling in football, basketball, hockey, and soccer drills while recording everything through Oakley’s AI sunglasses
Hunter possesses rare athletic talent for both positions. As a cornerback, he reads quarterbacks well and makes quick interceptions. As a receiver, he runs precise routes and catches difficult passes. At Colorado University, he became the first player ever to win the Bednarik Award (top defender) and Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) in the same season.
Historical Precedents
True two-way players are almost extinct in modern football. Only legends like Deion Sanders (CB/WR) and Chuck Bednarik (LB/C) managed this decades ago. More recently, J.J. Watt occasionally played tight end while dominating on defense. Hunter wants to surpass them by playing 60-70% of snaps on both sides-a huge physical challenge.
If successful, Hunter could change how teams build rosters. His contract includes special bonuses for stats on both offense and defense-something never seen before. He also brings star power: his charisma and social media presence (6.5M followers) make him a marketing dream for the NFL.
Skeptics question if his body can handle the NFL’s physical demands. He missed games in college due to injuries, and mastering two complex playbooks is exhausting. Coaches like John Harbaugh warn, “Playing both sides full-time might shorten his career.”
2025 Expectations
All eyes will be on Hunter this season. The Jaguars plan to use him creatively, possibly even returning kicks. If he thrives, he could inspire a new generation of versatile players-and finally prove two-way stars belong in modern football.
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