X

Travis Hunter Rumors: NFL Scouts Prefer Colorado Superstar at WR Instead of DB

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJune 21, 2024

College Football: Colorado Travis Hunter (12) in action, walks on the field vs Arizona at Folsom Field. 
Boulder, CO 11/11/2023 
CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) 
(Set Number: X164462)
Set Number: X164462

Travis Hunter is a do-everything superstar at Colorado, but NFL scouts reportedly think he'll need to focus on being a receiver at the next level.

Matt Miller of ESPN reported scouts peg Hunter more as a receiver, "where Hunter's speed and electric ability with the ball in his hands is best utilized, whereas at cornerback he would need to focus on technique more and rely less on winning with speed."

Hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback last season, racking up 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns while adding 31 tackles and three interceptions on the defensive side.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders has said Hunter should play both ways in the NFL.

"The NFL [has] got a problem," Sanders told reporters in the spring. "What are you gonna draft him as? And he's gotta play both ways. Because he has value on both sides of the ball."

Hunter is widely viewed as a first-round pick, but the results vary on where he might wind up being selected. His two-way versatility has been a massive boon for Sanders yet makes it harder for teams to project how he would do if he specialized on one position full time.

Sanders' presence also makes things more difficult for NFL teams. The Hall of Fame cornerback claims he will steer Hunter and his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, to certain teams in the pre-draft process.

"I know where I want them to go," Sanders said on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. "So, its certain cities that ain't gonna happen. It's going to be an Eli."