Travis Hunter enters the NFL as a generational talent.
Drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in April, the Heisman Trophy winner stands out from the rest of his class.
Hunter is a two-way star with dreams of playing offense and defense for the JaguarsGettyThat’s because Hunter, 22, is a two-way star who played both wide receiver and cornerback in college.
With the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024, he played 713 snaps on offense, and 748 on defense, which is undoubtedly a hefty load.
The step up to the NFL is intimidating for anyone, let alone someone who plays on both sides of the ball.
But Hunter has made it clear he wants to continue as a hybrid corner/receiver in the pros.
“It’s never playing football again,” he said ahead of the draft, when asked how he would react if made to play only one position.
“Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field.
“I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”
While Hunter is confident in his own abilities, it could be difficult for him to master two positions in the NFL right out of the gate.
That would mean training twice as hard as anyone else, and participating in both position group rooms, spending time with his fellow CBs and WRs.
It would also mean learning the offensive and defensive playbooks with the Jaguars — and that’s something teammate Louis Rees-Zammit has suggested could be tough.
Hunter has been warned that learning offensive and defensive plays will be a challengeGetty Despite outlining the issue, teammate Rees-Zammit has backed him to succeedGetty“He’s done that a fair few times,” the Welshman told talkSPORT of Hunter’s two-way experience.
“It’s way harder (in the NFL).
“Just mainly because learning an offense is hard enough and then he has to go and learn the defensive side of it.
“But I’m sure he’s gonna be able to do it. He’s a talented kid.”
Rees-Zammit, who stepped away from rugby to pursue his own NFL dream, knows as well as anyone that learning football plays is tricky.
He confirmed that he has been playing catch-up with Jacksonville’s playbook, revealing the team has around 500 plays to learn, with around 150 of those taken into the game.
Rees-Zammit has revealed how deep the Jaguars playbook really goesGettyHunter wants to keep working his magic on both sides of the ball for the Jags, and that means he will have a hell of a lot to learn, too.
During rookie minicamp, he began at wide receiver, before getting integrated with the defense soon after.
Hunter is a truly unique prospect, and has already put in some extra work after practices, repeating some reps following mistakes.
That kind of commitment will stand him in good stead with his coaches, and Rees-Zammit has already been taken in by his teammate’s attitude too.
“He’s been in for the past eight weeks, so we’ve got to see a lot of him,” the 24-year-old, who has put a deadline on his own NFL career, said of Hunter.
“He’s full of confidence and belief. He’s an unbelievable player. Off the field as well, he’s great for the locker room, he’s energetic, just loves football.
“And you know, that’s what you want in one of your teammates, he’s going to work really hard.
“He’s showing it. He’s been showing it for the past eight weeks, and it’s great to have him.”
Hunter’s efforts both on and off the field have impressed teammate Rees-ZammitGettyThe Jaguars begin their 2025 season against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, September 7.
Hunter has made clear his desire to play on both offense and defense, but only time will tell where he lines up on Week 1.
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