By Jay Berry
Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner from the Colorado Buffaloes, will work out as a defensive back at the NFL combine and possibly as a wide receiver. He is listed as a defensive back, and that will allow him to showcase his talent in both positions, according to the combine workout schedule.
Hunter is listed as a defensive back for the combine primarily because each player must have a designated position. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Jeff Foster, the president of National Football Scouting (which organizes the combine), communicated with Hunter’s representatives to find the best solution, ensuring he has the best opportunity in Indianapolis.
The first three days of the combine will feature functional drills that are the same for both receivers and corners. After that, the drills will become more position-specific. The defensive backs will work out on Thursday, while the wide receivers will have their session on Friday. Travis Hunter can participate in workouts for both positions if he wishes to.
Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner who played offense and defense at Colorado, is being listed as a defensive back for the NFL scouting combine.https://t.co/37dQYHOeWJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 14, 2025
He finished last season with four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 36 tackles, including one for loss. Offensively, he had 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown.
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Hunter has said he wants to play on both sides of the ball in the NFL. His listing as a defensive back indicates that’s where scouts believe he will play as a pro.
Deion Sanders, his coach at Colorado, is considered one of the best defensive backs in NFL history. He also played receiver. In 1996, the Pro Football Hall of Famer caught 36 passes for 475 yards and scored one touchdown while playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Hunter has tremendous athletic potential. Getting a lockdown corner in the NFL is a prized commodity. At the same time, top receivers get paid more than corners, and teams always need a playmaker on offense.
Cornerback might be his best chance of success at the NFL level due to his exceptional ball skills, awareness, and coverage ability. His instincts and high-level athleticism are also an excellent match for the secondary. His versatility and ability to learn will also give him a chance to showcase both positional skill sets at the combine if he chooses.
He is projected to be an early first-round draft pick, with the majority of mock drafts project him to be selected within the top five. Hunter will have opportunities to gain experience in both positions. However, he is unlikely to play both roles full-time in the NFL, and any usage in dual capacities will be limited at such a high level of competition.
Coming off the 2024 Heisman Trophy season, Hunter established himself as one of the most dynamic players in college football. How well that translates to the NFL remains to be seen in the coming months.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26. The projected start times (Eastern) for each day are as follows: Thursday, April 24: Round 1 (8 p.m.) Friday, April 25: Rounds 2-3 (7 p.m.)
