Colorado's Deion Sanders: Travis Hunter Will Be 2-Way NFL Player If Teams Are 'Smart'

University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders advocated Wednesday for whichever NFL team ultimately drafts Travis Hunter next year to utilize him on both sides of the ball.

Speaking to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Coach Prime expressed his belief that a "smart team" would maximize Hunter's talents as both a wide receiver and cornerback: "If someone's smart, they would start him on one side of the ball and have a package on the other side, whatever the team needs. But to me, he's the No. 1 as a corner and the No. 1 guy as a receiver. I don't see anybody else in college football better."

Hunter is a rare breed in college football, as he excels on both sides of the ball. During his first season with the Buffaloes in 2023, Hunter appeared in nine games and had 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, while also recording 30 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defended.

Per the University of Colorado, Hunter averaged a remarkable 114.7 snaps per game last season, which likely wouldn't be sustainable over the course of a rigorous NFL season.

It used to be commonplace for players to play multiple positions in college and the NFL, but things got more specialized in football and most other sports over time as more was learned about wear and tear and the importance of keeping athletes healthy.

That is likely why Sanders phrased his comment carefully, noting that an NFL team should start him on one side of the ball and "have a package" for him on the other side.

Coach Prime seems to be saying that Hunter should be either a full-time receiver or corner at the next level, but he should also be used at the other position on occasion.

Sanders can relate since he was a Hall of Fame cornerback, but also had 60 receptions during his NFL playing days, including a career-high 36 catches for 475 yards and a touchdown with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

He was also an excellent return man, returning six punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns during his NFL career.

Hunter is a similar type of player in that he is an electric athlete who excels with the ball in his hands, so even if he ends up being primarily a corner in the NFL, it would make sense to get him involved offensively or on special teams as well.

It remains unclear what Hunter's main role will be in the NFL, but given his impressive skill set, he has the makings of being a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.