Travis Hunter opens up on Shohei Ohtani, two-way player debate — and who he thinks has it harder

Travis Hunter opens up on Shohei Ohtani, two-way player debate — and who he thinks has it harder

The sky is the limit for Travis Hunter’s confidence heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hunter, 21, told reporters at the NFL combine on Thursday that he believes being a two-way football player is more difficult than what Shohei Ohtani does in the MLB.

“Probably me, what I do in football [is harder] because it is a lot on your body,” Hunter said. “Ohtani, he’s a great player, but you gotta do a lot in football.”

Shohei Ohtani throws in the bullpen during workouts at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 25, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Getty Images

Similar to MLB, being a two-way player in the NFL is a rarity, with there not being a full-time player achieving that status since the 1950s.

Ohtani first achieved MLB two-way status during his rookie season in 2018 and has since won three MVP awards while also finishing fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2022.

Hunter is known for his success playing both sides of the ball, winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy while playing wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado.

Colorado Buffaloes cornerback DJ McKinney celebrates his interception with wide receiver Travis Hunter in the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Despite not participating in any on-field workouts at the combine, Hunter conducted a media session with reporters, where he made clear that he hopes to continue being a two-way player in the NFL.

“I want to play both,” Hunter told reporters Thursday. “That’s not my job to figure it out. I like to play both sides of the ball. If they allow me to play both sides of the ball, I’ll play both sides.”

Hunter ᴀssured that he does not experience any physical fatigue from being a two-way player, citing his preparation being a large factor into his health.

Travis Hunter during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

“It doesn’t happen very often because I put my body through so much during the week,” Hunter told reporters. “I know how to treat my body and know what my body needs to be ready.”

Deion Sanders, who coached Hunter at both Jackson State and Colorado, previously told NFL teams that they shouldn’t draft the 21-year-old if they don’t plan on using him on both sides of the ball.

“He’s gonna do that, or they shouldn’t draft him,” Sanders said when asked about Hunter’s future in the NFL in an interview with Rich Eisen in December. “Don’t do that. And I’m gonna make sure of that. Don’t draft him if you’re not gonna give him the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball.

“Now, you can be creative. He don’t have to do what we did with him here and play every snap.”

Related Posts

Weary Tom Brady seen leaving Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding after fueling Sydney Sweeney romance rumors

Weary Tom Brady seen leaving Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding after fueling Sydney Sweeney romance rumors

Tom Brady was snapped leaving Venice after a glitzy weekend in Italy celebrating the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. The NFL legend was one of…

NFL quarterback Zach Wilson marries partner Nicolette in beautiful New York wedding

NFL quarterback Zach Wilson marries partner Nicolette in beautiful New York wedding

NFL quarterback Zach Wilson and his partner Nicolette tied the knot on Saturday in a classy Manhattan wedding. Wilson, now a member of the Dolphins, began his…

EXCLUSIVEFrom homelessness to training Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes… how Quincy Avery became the NFL’s quarterback guru

EXCLUSIVEFrom homelessness to training Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes… how Quincy Avery became the NFL’s quarterback guru

Football jerseys line the walls where Quincy Avery sleeps. Just as they did nearly two decades ago, when he drove his Mustang out west to California. Avery…

NFL quarterback has to be held back by security after getting into ugly fight while coaching youth football game

NFL quarterback has to be held back by security after getting into ugly fight while coaching youth football game

Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Geno Smith had to be held back by security during an ugly fight while coaching a youth football game this weekend in…

Miami Dolphins’ billionaire owner Stephen Ross closes in on shock deal to expand his sports portfolio

Miami Dolphins’ billionaire owner Stephen Ross closes in on shock deal to expand his sports portfolio

Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross is digging into his pockets for a new venture as he reportedly is closing in on a roughly 45% stake of…

Kansas City Chiefs pay tribute to star player who died trying to save three children from drowning

Kansas City Chiefs pay tribute to star player who died trying to save three children from drowning

The Kansas City Chiefs have paid tribute to former team running back Joe Delaney, who pᴀssed away 42 years ago Sunday trying to save three children from…