Colorado’s electrifying two-way star, Travis Hunter, has been a household name in college football, dazzling fans and scouts alike with his rare ability to excel at both wide receiver and cornerback. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Hunter is widely projected to be a top-five pick, with some experts believing he could even be selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans—or whichever team lands the coveted top selection.
Hunter’s dominance at the college level has drawn comparisons to the likes of Deion Sanders and Champ Bailey, both of whom played on both sides of the ball at times in their careers. However, unlike them, Hunter has consistently taken on a full workload at both positions, a feat many believe will be impossible to sustain in the physically demanding NFL.
Hunter’s Confidence at the NFL Combine
During his press conference at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Hunter was adamant that he can continue playing both offense and defense at the highest level.
“They say nobody has ever done it the way I do it,” Hunter said, via NFL.com. “But I tell them I’m just different. I am a different person.
“Nobody has done it, but I feel like I’ve put my body through a lot. I do a lot of treatment; people don’t get to see that part. … But I know I can do it.”
Hunter further claimed that he could play 100 percent of the snaps every week while contributing at an elite level on both sides of the ball. He argued that the pace of an NFL game—with frequent stoppages and extended TV timeouts—would actually give him more opportunities to rest and recover than in college, where the tempo can be relentless.
While some analysts admire his ambition, others question whether any player—no matter how gifted—can sustain the physical toll of playing both ways over a full 17-game NFL season.
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Hunter’s Surprising Shohei Ohtani Comparison
As if his two-way aspirations weren’t already a hot topic, Hunter made an even bolder claim when asked about Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who has captivated the baseball world by excelling as both a pitcher and a power hitter.
Ohtani, widely regarded as one of the most uniquely talented athletes in modern sports, has accomplished something not seen since Babe Ruth—dominating from both the mound and the batter’s box. However, when asked whether Ohtani’s two-way brilliance was comparable to his own, Hunter didn’t hesitate to assert that what he does is far more difficult.
“Probably me (and) what I do in football,” Hunter said when asked which was harder. “Because it’s a lot on your body. You know, Ohtani, he’s a great player, but you gotta do a lot in football.”
Is Hunter Right?
Hunter’s comments immediately sparked debate. While football is undeniably more physically demanding on a game-to-game basis, baseball’s grueling 162-game schedule requires endurance, precision, and mental fortitude over the long haul.
Ohtani not only pitches but also serves as an elite hitter, something no player in modern baseball has been able to sustain at a high level. He has won MVP awards, led the league in home runs, and still manages to strike out hitters with a 100 mph fastball. Furthermore, hitting a baseball—especially at the MLB level—is widely considered the single most difficult task in professional sports.
While Hunter’s confidence is commendable, his assertion that his two-way role is more challenging than Ohtani’s may be premature. Until he proves he can dominate on both sides of the ball in the NFL for an extended period, his remarks will likely be seen as bold optimism rather than an established reality.
Nonetheless, whether he’s making NFL history as a two-way star or simply making headlines with his words, one thing is clear—Travis Hunter will be one of the most fascinating players to watch in the 2025 NFL Draft and beyond.
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