Travis Hunter proved a point in spectacular fashion. Go ahead, keep telling college football’s best player he can’t do it. He shouldn’t have survived. much less prosperous Considering the dire demands placed on them while playing important moments in both positions.
Or so says conventional wisdom.
And that’s all for him now: The Colorado Buffaloes’ star wing and quarterback are the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Trophy on Saturday night
Of course, as he approaches the NFL, Hunter can’t be expected to be dominant at both positions at the next level.
Is it possible?
“I don’t want to say what this guy can’t do,” Charles Woodson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told USA TODAY Sports. “We’ve just seen it have an effect on the faculty.
“I wish he hadn’t done it. If I had the chance to play in the NFL and have the looks and talent like him, I would probably play with him in defence. But I probably have a package to keep him from attacking. He is too talented to be a non-attacking player. But I wouldn’t put him in key moments in attack or defence.
In terms of the physical appearance of the NFL game, the two face shapes are much more mature. There are different playing speeds. Simply because the face is much better at every level of the game.
“So I won’t try to play with him every time. But I’ll let him out. I’ll make plays so he doesn’t attack.
Woodson, who played in the NFL for 18 seasons as a quarterback. And now working as a studio analyst for Fox Sports, there’s no shortage of credibility when considering Hunter’s success. and assesses the enormous opportunity for his NFL future.
On his way to winning the Heisman Trophy in 1997, Woodson was a top quarterback interested in becoming a wide receiver at Michigan. during his final two seasons with the Wolverines. Woodson caught 24 passes and recorded six rushing attempts.
in comparison When you consider as incredible an athlete as he is, Woodson is hardly a player who doesn’t play mid-range offense. That was one of the reasons he was so impressed with Hunter. Which averages 113 snaps per game, basically a 50-50 split between offense and defense. to help lift Colorado (9-3) up the rankings. Not the Alamo Bowl
As an important receiver Hunter has caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
On the closing song, he threw four interceptions, recorded 11 broken passes and forced a game-sealing fumble.
“You come to a game and they know the pitch defensively. And everyone in the defense is on the sidelines. And he’s not an offensive group. Get ready to line up and not play offensively,” Woodson said. “Very impressed with what he’s done. Travis takes care of himself and makes sure he’s ready to play every week.”
Still, that kind of double duty is something to be expected in the NFL, as Hunter, 21, is considered the most talented athlete available for the NFL draft in April. and is expected to be among the top five. Meanwhile After convincing his college coach, Deion Sanders, to allow him to play both ways – first at Jackson State, then the final two seasons at Colorado – Hunter (6-1, 185) was adamant about continuing to play in both senses.
