Sports
Travis Hunter - English
Travis Hunter has been at the center of one of the NFL’s most persistent debates: can a player thrive long-term on both sides of the ball? Now Deion Sanders has weighed in.
His recent performances have reignited that question, particularly after a highlight-reel play that reminded everyone why he was so heavily sought after out of college whilst he begins to ply his trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Travis Hunter’s postgame gesture leaves fans in tears
Hunter built his reputation at the Colorado Buffaloes as both a wide receiver and cornerback under Coach Prime. While his versatility defined college football, the NFL presents tougher demands.
The schedule is longer, the game more physical, and the risks greater and many analysts wonder not if Hunter can play two ways, but if it is sustainable and that skepticism was echoed by Davante Adams.
“I don’t think it’s possible to do [play both ways for an entire career] for real,” Adams said. “That’s just a lot of mileage, and I don’t know how long… his career is going to be if he’s playing that many snaps?”
He emphasized his concern was not Hunter’s ability but the strain of a 17-game season but on Tuesday, Sanders responded during an appearance on Politely Raw.
“Well, I’ve been the head coach of Travis Hunter for three years,” Sanders said. “And he’s played both.
“It was not ‘mainly’ [any side]. He was mainly the dog. He was mainly the guy.
“And to get the best out of him, you’ve got to feature him. You’ve got to keep him involved because he’s a big play waiting to happen.”
The Jaguars clearly agree. They traded significant draft capital to acquire Hunter and have used him on both fronts.
In four games, he has logged 250 snaps – 152 on offense and 95 on defense. The split has shifted weekly: in Week 2, he had 42 offensive and 38 defensive snaps; in Week 4, he saw 38 on offense but just nine on defense.
Sanders argues this balance is essential. “Travis is one of a kind, man,” Sanders said. “And you got to treat him as such. Well, let’s say, [he plays] 66 snaps.
“I ain’t picking a side. 33 and 33. That’s who he is. He should be featured on the offense, but he’s got to be your dog on the defense.”
This is not the first time Sanders has challenged Jacksonville’s usage of Hunter either as back earlier on in the season, he criticized the staff by insisting they were not using him enough.
The debate ultimately reflects a clash between tradition and innovation. Few modern players have thrived on both sides, with Deion Sanders himself as the most famous example.
Hunter’s early NFL career suggests the possibility remains alive, provided the Jaguars manage his workload wisely to protect his long-term future.
Who do the Jaguars play next? Date, time and where to watch Jacksonville’s Week 5 game
In Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Stadium as they welcome Patrick Mahomes to their backyard.
Mahomes and the Chiefs come into the game on the back of an impressive 37-20 victory over Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens to move to 2-2 for the season.
Whilst the Jaguars hold a 3-1 record, with their sole defeat coming against the Cincinnati Bengals 31-27 on September 14. They have beaten the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
The kickoff is set for 20:15 ET/17:15 on Monday, October 6, and the game will air nationally on ESPN/ABC.
This news was originally published on this post .
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