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2025 NFL Draft: Why an NFL coordinator calls Travis Hunter’s two-way skillset a ‘good problem to have’

Posted on by Goldteelic
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17
Dec
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FRISCO, Texas — Colorado Buffaloes’ all-purpose star Travis Hunter, widely regarded as CBS Sports’ top overall prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, has sparked one of the most intriguing debates in football: Should he be drafted as a cornerback or a wide receiver?

Hunter’s extraordinary ability to dominate on both sides of the ball has made him a generational talent and a unique case study for NFL scouts. His impressive 2024 season culminated in him winning the Heisman Trophy, awarded for his outstanding performance while playing both cornerback and wide receiver at an elite level.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who has a longstanding connection with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, recently shared his thoughts on Hunter’s potential. Zimmer, who served as Sanders’ defensive backs coach during Sanders’ five All-Pro seasons in Dallas, remains a close friend and confidant of the Hall of Famer. Over the years, Zimmer has visited Sanders’ teams at both Jackson State and Colorado, and the two maintain weekly conversations. However, Zimmer noted they haven’t had the chance to connect since Hunter was awarded the Heisman Trophy this past Saturday.

“I think it’s cool… I think it’s great,” Zimmer said when asked about Hunter’s remarkable achievement. “For him to go to a place like Jackson State, it shows what kind of character he has, and obviously, he’s a terrific football player.”

Hunter’s Historic Season Sets Him Apart

Hunter’s accolades in 2024 are nothing short of groundbreaking. He earned the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honor for his excellence at cornerback while also receiving an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. His stats demonstrate his dual-threat dominance, as he became the first player in FBS history (since 1978) to record 1,000+ receiving yards and at least three interceptions in a single season. He further etched his name into the record books as the first player in FBS history to achieve 10+ receiving touchdowns and three interceptions in a single campaign.

Here’s a breakdown of Hunter’s standout 2024 performance:

StatFBS Rank
Total snaps (1,380)1st*
Receptions of 20+ yards (21)T-1st
Receptions (92)5th
Receiving yards (1,152)6th
Receiving touchdowns (14)2nd
Interceptions (4)T-17th
PFF coverage grade (91.1)1st
*Per Pro Football Focus

A ‘Good Problem to Have’ for NFL Teams

While it’s unlikely that the Dallas Cowboys—currently sitting at 6-8 with the 14th overall pick—will have a shot at drafting Hunter, Zimmer sees the challenges of evaluating his two-way skillset as a rare luxury for any NFL franchise.

“I haven’t really studied him yet, but I’d say that’s a good problem to have because you might get two players at one [spot],” Zimmer said. “So you waste one draft pick and get two players.”

Zimmer’s sentiment underscores the unique value Hunter brings to the table. With the versatility to impact the game as both an elite cornerback and a playmaking wide receiver, Hunter is poised to redefine positional norms in the NFL. For teams lucky enough to select him in the 2025 draft, the only question will be how best to utilize his unprecedented talent.

The Travis Hunter Effect

Hunter’s historic achievements and unmatched versatility have sparked widespread discussion across the NFL landscape. While the question of whether he will play cornerback, wide receiver, or perhaps both remains unanswered, one thing is certain: Hunter’s ability to excel on both sides of the ball makes him a generational talent and a future NFL superstar.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes will be on Hunter to see how teams evaluate and project his role at the next level. Whether it’s as a lockdown corner, an explosive wide receiver, or an unprecedented two-way player, Hunter’s journey promises to captivate football fans for years to come.

Goldteelic

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