Fresh off a dominant college career, Travis Hunter faces a rare challenge in the NFL: learning to thrive on both sides of the ball.
Instead of pigeonholing him at wide receiver or cornerback, the Jacksonville Jaguars and veteran edge Josh Hines-Allen believe Hunter can make an impact offensively and defensively – a bold strategy not seen in decades.
During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Hines-Allen praised Hunter’s versatility, arguing that his natural athleticism and playmaking instinct make him valuable regardless of where he lines up.
“Is he a great playmaker on both sides of the ball? Yes he is,” Hines-Allen said. He added, “When you’re a team like us … we need the best playmakers on the field at all times. If he can give you that value, let’s do it.”
The Jaguars have subtly started building that dual-role environment. In OTAs and minicamp, Hunter has primarily taken reps at receiver, but he’s also handled time at cornerback – offering tantalizing glimpses of what a genuine two-way NFL player might look like.
Hunter is more than just a prospect
Hunter’s college production backs up the hype. Over three seasons at Colorado, he recorded nine interceptions as a defensive back and hauled in 24 touchdown catches.
His dual-threat contributions translate directly into the versatility the Jaguars crave: a wideout who can force fumbles and a corner who understands route concepts intimately.
On camp days, Hunter has been seen taking screen passes deep and making aggressive plays on defense-punctuating midway between both units. Hines-Allen emphasised this range of capability, stating, “You stick him on that defensive side of the ball, he’s going to make a play.”
Despite his talent, Hunter’s future hinges on durability. Hines-Allen cautioned that injuries could derail a two-way experiment, citing Hunter’s lean frame and past injuries as potential risks.
“What plagues every NFL player … is injuries,” he stated. “If he can stay healthy, get in the hyperbaric machine, I think he has a great career ahead of him on both sides.”
Playing two positions inherently increases workload and injury exposure. NFL veterans and analysts have previously raised concerns that Hunter – much like baseball’s Shohei Ohtani – will need careful load management.
The league’s grind, with limited practice reps and maximum performance demands, could overwhelm even the most gifted athletes.
A challenging dilemma
Hunter’s situation has ignited debate. Some argue that he represents a revolution in football, akin to Ohtani’s two-way dominance in baseball.
Others caution that expert execution in the NFL demands focused mastery: mastering one role instead of splitting responsibilities.
Sources have suggested teams like the Browns and Giants, who had high draft interest, weighed these tradeoffs heavily. But the Jaguars, armed with Hunter at pick No. 2, appear ready to embrace the challenge – valuing his dual impact sufficiently to disrupt traditional positional strategy.
The 2025 season begins with a rare question: can a player truly deliver as an NFL-caliber wide receiver and cornerback? Josh Hines-Allen believes Travis Hunter has the unique toolkit to make it work, provided he stays healthy.
What remains to be seen is whether the Jaguars’ bold gamble will pay off – or if football’s specialized nature will force Hunter to pick a side. Either way, his journey could redefine what’s possible in a sport that prides itself on breaking boundaries.
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