Colorado's Travis Hunter is a ONE-of-a-KIND player | Summer Scouting 2025 NFL Draft DB Previews

Summary

In this sports analysis transcript, the panel discusses the potential of Travis Hunter, a uniquely talented athlete with exceptional ball skills, comparing him to NFL players like Jon Diggs and Joey Porter Jr. They debate his suitability as a cornerback versus a wide receiver, considering his athleticism and playmaking abilities. The conversation also touches on the challenges of coaching such a player and the strategic decisions teams might face in the draft process.

Takeaways

• 🏈 Travis Hunter is considered a uniquely talented athlete with exceptional ball skills, particularly as a cornerback.
• 🤔 There are concerns about Hunter's discipline and technique on the field, with some describing his play as 'undisciplined' and 'street ball'.
• 🔎 Hunter's performance in the TCU and Arizona games, where he made impressive interceptions, was highlighted as a showcase of his skills.
• 🏈 The discussion ponders whether Hunter's athleticism could also make him a valuable asset as a wide receiver, not just a cornerback.
• 📈 Hunter's snap count in games is very high, over 100 snaps per game, which might explain some inconsistencies in his play.
• 🎓 The importance of coaching and whether Hunter can be coached to be more technically sound was a topic of debate.
• 🤝 There's an assumption that Hunter is coachable and has the potential to improve his technique with the right guidance.
• 💼 The potential for Hunter to be a two-way player was discussed, but there's a consensus that his value might be higher as a wide receiver due to market demand and career longevity.
• 🔑 The draft strategy and where Hunter might be picked is a point of interest, with speculation that he could go as high as the middle of the first round.
• 🆚 A comparison was made to other players like Jon Diggs and Joey Porter Jr., with Diggs being chosen as a closer comparison due to unique ball-hawking abilities.
• 🎲 The hypothetical scenarios of drafting Hunter with specific team needs and his position preferences were explored, indicating the complexity of draft decisions.

Q & A

What is the general consensus on Travis Hunter's playing style?

Travis Hunter is described as a unique athlete with exceptional ball skills but is considered undisciplined in his technique, sometimes playing like he's on the street.

How does Travis Hunter's athleticism compare to other corners in his class?

Travis Hunter is considered the most unique and possibly the best athlete among the corners in his class.

What specific games highlighted Travis Hunter's interception skills?

His interception skills were particularly noted in the TCU and Arizona games.

How many snaps did Travis Hunter play in each game according to the transcript?

Travis Hunter played over 100 snaps in every game he participated in.

What was unique about Travis Hunter's performance in the Stanford game?

In the Stanford game, Hunter had an impressive 13 catches and 140 yards, and played an extraordinary 157 snaps.

What position does the discussion suggest Hunter could play on offense?

The discussion suggests that Hunter could potentially play as a wide receiver on offense due to his unique playmaking ability.

What is the debate regarding whether Hunter should play offense or defense?

There is a debate on whether Hunter should play as a wide receiver on offense or as a corner on defense, with some suggesting his skills are more valuable on the defensive side.

What is the concern about Hunter being a two-way player?

The concern is the risk of injury, as playing both ways could increase the chances of getting hurt, as seen in the Colorado State game.

What is the potential issue if a team drafts Hunter but he doesn't want to play the position they need?

If a team drafts Hunter expecting him to play a specific position and he refuses, it could lead to a conflict and potentially the team not drafting him at all.

What comparison was made to another player regarding length and playing style?

Travis Hunter was compared to Jon Diggs in terms of length and playing style, with the implication that Hunter has a unique ability to go get the ball in the air.

How does the transcript suggest Hunter's potential draft range?

The transcript suggests that Hunter's potential draft range could be within the top 15 of the first round.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 Travis Hunter's Unique Athleticism and NFL Prospects

The first paragraph discusses the exceptional abilities of Travis Hunter, an athlete with a unique skill set that has caught the attention of NFL scouts. He is described as a 'Gunslinger' with a high level of savviness, yet somewhat undisciplined in his approach. Despite this, his ball skills are unmatched among corners due to his background in wide receiver play. His performance in games, particularly the TCU and Arizona games, where he made impressive interceptions, is highlighted. The discussion also touches on his potential as both a defensive and offensive player, with the possibility of him being drafted as a wide receiver due to his playmaking abilities. The panelists debate the best position for Hunter and whether teams would be willing to pigeonhole him into one role or allow him to showcase his skills on both sides of the ball.

05:01

🎯 Hypothetical Draft Scenarios and Travis Hunter's Positional Value

In the second paragraph, the conversation continues with hypothetical scenarios regarding Travis Hunter's draft position and the potential constraints placed on his position by teams or his agent. The panelists explore the implications of Hunter's insistence on playing only as a wide receiver and the challenges teams might face in drafting him if they need a cornerback. The discussion also includes the importance of finding the right balance between utilizing Hunter's unique abilities and the risks associated with drafting a two-way player. The conversation concludes with a playful comparison to past NFL players, with the panelists trying to find a suitable comparison for Hunter's skill set and potential draft value.

Keywords

💡Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter is a unique athlete who is the central subject of the video's discussion. He is described as having exceptional ball skills and being a standout player, particularly in the context of his performance in the TCU and Arizona games. His ability to play both cornerback and wide receiver is a focal point of the conversation, highlighting his versatility and the debate over where he would best fit in a professional football team.

💡Gunslinger

The term 'Gunslinger' is used to describe a player who takes risks and makes bold plays, often throwing long passes in American football. In the script, it is suggested that Travis Hunter might be considered a 'Gunslinger' due to his playing style, but the speaker refrains from fully applying the label, indicating that while Hunter plays with savvy, he is also undisciplined in his technique.

💡Savvy

Savvy refers to a player's street-smart understanding of the game, often implying a natural ability to read situations and make quick decisions. In the context of the video, Hunter is said to play with 'some savvy,' suggesting that he has an intuitive grasp of the game, despite being labeled as undisciplined.

💡Undefeated

The term 'undefeated' is used to describe a team or player that has not lost any games. Although not explicitly mentioned in the script, the discussion implies that Travis Hunter's performance has been strong enough to contribute to a winning record, as the speakers consider his potential impact on a team's success.

💡Technique

Technique in sports refers to the mechanical skills and methods used by an athlete. The script mentions that Hunter is 'really undisciplined with his technique,' indicating that while he has raw talent, his execution of fundamental skills may be lacking, which could be a concern for coaches and scouts evaluating his potential.

💡Pigeonhole

To 'pigeonhole' someone is to categorize or limit them to a specific role or type, often in a way that is overly restrictive. The video discusses the risk of teams 'pigeonholing' Hunter as a cornerback, ignoring his potential as a wide receiver, which could limit his versatility and overall impact on a team.

💡Pre-draft Process

The pre-draft process involves a series of evaluations and interviews conducted by professional teams before the NFL draft. It is a critical time for players like Hunter to demonstrate their skills and character. The script suggests that Hunter's interviews could be 'very interesting,' hinting at the importance of these interactions in shaping his draft prospects.

💡Two-Way Player

A two-way player is an athlete who plays both offense and defense in football. The script raises the question of whether Hunter would be willing to be a two-way player, suggesting that his unique abilities could be utilized on both sides of the ball, though it also acknowledges the physical risks and strategic considerations involved.

💡Wide Receiver

A wide receiver is an offensive position in American football, responsible for catching passes from the quarterback. The video discusses the possibility of Hunter playing as a wide receiver, given his ball skills and athleticism, with the debate focusing on whether this would be a better fit for him than playing as a cornerback.

💡Cornerback

A cornerback is a defensive position in American football, tasked with covering the opposing team's wide receivers to prevent them from catching passes. The script frequently refers to Hunter's potential as a cornerback, noting his unique skills in this role, such as his ability to intercept passes.

💡Draft Range

A player's draft range refers to the approximate area of the draft where they are expected to be selected. The script includes a discussion about where Hunter might be drafted, with opinions varying and a range suggested from the top 15 to the middle of the first round, reflecting the high interest and debate over his potential value.

Highlights

Travis Hunter is considered one of the most unique athletes to come out in a long time.

Hunter's play style is described as undisciplined but savvy, with exceptional ball skills.

His receiving skills and interceptions in the TCU and Arizona games were particularly impressive.

Hunter played over 100 snaps in every game, showing his endurance and commitment.

There are concerns about his run support and technique, which may need refinement.

His athleticism is unmatched, even compared to the best in the CB class.

The Stanford game showcased Hunter's ability to match up against top receivers and perform exceptionally.

Hunter's performance in the Stanford game included 13 catches and 140 yards.

The discussion on whether Hunter should play as a corner or receiver is a significant point of debate.

There's a possibility that Hunter could be pigeonholed into one position during the draft process.

The potential for Hunter to be a two-way player is considered, but his value as a corner is highlighted.

The comparison between the career lengths of wide receivers and corners is brought up, suggesting a longer career for receivers.

The hypothetical scenario of Hunter being drafted as a corner but wanting to play receiver is discussed.

The importance of finding a balance between Hunter's athleticism and technical skills is emphasized.

The draft range for Hunter is estimated to be within the top 15 of the first round.

Comparisons to Jon Diggs and Joey Porter Jr. are made to illustrate Hunter's potential and style of play.

Transcripts

all right next up Travis

Hunter and Rick you had him third me and

Mike had him second and last week you

hinted that he may not be all unicorns

and rainbows in his game you want to

talk a little bit what you think about

Travis Hunter yeah no maybe the most

unique athlete has come out in a long

time there's no question about that um

he is a little bit uh I don't want to

call him Gunslinger he plays with some

Savvy but so

undisciplined uh but when he's honed in

he has the most unique ball skills out

of any of these Corners we want to talk

probably because of his receiving skills

some of the interceptions that he made

uh in the TCU game and the Arizona game

were were incredible but this guy is the

most unique athlete it'll be interesting

the discussions that come out now this

guy played like a hundred over 100 snaps

in every game he's played so I got to

give him a little bit of slack for yeah

maybe pulling up on some run support

issues at times and who his coach is too

by the way yeah yeah he got a little

Dion in him um but I just thought he was

really undisciplined with his technique

and looks like he's out there playing

street ball at times but he's just

better athlete than everybody right uh

and if you put him into I got this cat

category uh he's going to shut a guy

down um so but you know I watched that

Stanford game which was actually

absolutely fascinating to watch because

because we didn't talk about him in our

top five receivers but that big receiver

from Stanford is it

ali

uh Manor how how do you say it

Mike I have been saying a human or but I

I think that's right I I heard the

pronounced on the highlight of the the

play you're talking about but I didn't

remember okay yeah the big guy yes he

had now he this guy had 13 catches 294

yards and three touchdowns

and Hunter was on him a lot of the time

because usually they try to match him up

with the best receiver but then Hunter

had 13 catches and 140 yards and two

this guy played 200 157 snaps that game

that's like the most incredible thing

I've ever seen But unique athlete can do

whatever he wants to do it's just where

teams are going to play him at corner or

they're going to play him uh at receiver

because it was pretty unique to watch

him find open scenes and he's pretty

unique playmaker with a ball and his and

he just unrefined just like as a corner

as a receiver but someone's going to

take a swing at this kid it' be

interesting to see in these interviews

in the pre-draft process if he bites

back uh if they're going to put him in

pigeon hole him as a corner uh and not

let him play some offensive snaps hey

let me ask you this Rick Assuming he's a

good kid and I don't know I'm just gonna

assume I haven't heard anything but

assuming he's he's coachable or whatever

you want to call it um how easy is it to

get him to buy in to being more techn

techically sound because athletically he

might be the best athlete in this CB

class yeah he's the best athlete in the

entire

class I don't know if there's a better

athlete in the whole entire graph class

in this kid okay um so no those are

things that you're going to ask you know

but you're going to see if he bites back

or he he's going to be an interesting

interview I would say uh very

interesting especially if teams pigeon

home in one one slot or another I'm

trying to think to make this I think I

know where and Mike are going to come

down on I'm trying to think of a

situation where it makes it a little

tougher on you I don't know what the

situation would be but Mike Travis

Hunter I if he's a two-way guy and he

you know he makes the steps necessary or

you just taking will

Johnson I'm I'm taking will Johnson I

think he's much better corner but

truthfully if I'm I think Hunter is

better right now more rare right now at

corner than he is a wide receiver if I'm

in Travis Hunter year I'm telling him to

play wide receiver there there are 16

wide receivers right now that make more

than the highest Corner in the NFL the

career length of wide receivers is

longer than the career length of Corners

there is no situation where I'm telling

this guy to play on the defens side of

football I just think he's that good at

both that I think you're moving this guy

you're putting this guy wide receiver so

Rick if you said that or a scout or

someone said that to Mike Zimmer what's

is Zimmer buying into that or he's like

get out of here I don't know did Mike

coach Zim see this guy yet at corner no

but I mean just in terms of he's a

defensive guy and he's he's a little oh

my God these hypotheticals you come up

with are just absurd I don't know we

haven't been in meetings we haven't

discussed it yet those are the those are

the draft meetings that's why you have

them before and Rick this is why you're

in summer

school uh Mike did you want to add

anything to Travis or no I think

everything you pretty much said there

that's a great point though about the

the wide receiver I I didn't really

consider that because I think he's a

better Rick you think he's a better

quarterback now I think he is I I do

because it's harder to find Corners than

it is receivers true so I'm looking at

it from that angle although I I

understand Mike's angle sound like he

was his agent I know I'm looking at it

from an NFL team side that I got this

guy with this unique playmaking ability

uh on the defensive side of the ball I

mean he's like a receiver playing corner

with the way he goes it gets the ball

some of the uh interceptions he made

were pretty

unique Mike are you willing to be a

two-way player more an offense or

defense as his

agent no I don't think you even it's

just you I mean you saw what happened

last year with the injury that he

suffered late in that Colorado State

game begging to get hurt it's just not

worth it and people looking to line his

ass up too at least on the college level

yeah well when you're out there 157

snaps eventually you're going to get hit

all right Rick another hypothetical for

you so Mike rener represents Travis

Hunter and you have the 20th pick or

whatever and Mike is telling you do not

draft him to play defensive back and and

Travis has said in the interview process

that he hasn't want to only play wide

receiver are you just taking him off the

board if you need a cornerback

desperately what are you doing no but if

we're if we're drafting him as a corner

you don't want to play that then I don't

you know I'm probably not going to draft

him okay I didn't know if you throw Rick

under the bus there saying he's drafting

20th Rick's usually drafting later than

that come on give him like 25 at

least uh JJ was 22nd I think yeah Dar 24

he's drafting later in the 20 all right

Mike enough with the sucking enough he's

he's picked top 10 a few times look Mike

got me landed on this podcast with him

right he gets guys signed to fouryear

$200 million deals and then he ends up

doing a podcast so it ain't all peaches

and

cream okay uh draft range and Rick you

actually this is why you returning to

summer school you didn't even give us a

comp I couldn't there's no comps I wish

I could come dog from New Hampshire or

New Haven wherever the hell he played

your dog eat the comp is that you're

telling me can you give me draft range

at least yeah top 15 oh what do you

think about that Mike top 15 yes y okay

I actually had 15th the middle of the

first round all right we can still play

the game because Mike did his homework I

did my homework this is gonna be this is

like a bonus question because this is

the best I come up with just based on

the length and how um how long he looked

as a

cornerback uh I won't give you any more

than that are you ready you're five and0

which is really hurts my heart Jon Diggs

or Joey Porter

Jr oh God come on uh I'm going to go

digs because of the unique ability to go

get the ball in the

air what about Joy Porter J place for

the Steelers yeah I know but if you're

saying this guy's his physical as Joey

Porter Jr then you're barking up the

wrong tree no I said the length and I

think Joey is not nearly as fluid as as

U as Travis but again it was a struggle

for me you may have tried to trip me up

here because all of a sudden if it's

Pittsburgh it's you so I'm going to

stick with the uh Theory and I'm going

to go with digs for uh Mike oh yeah

that's right yeah that was the easy one

that was the easiest question on the

test yeah you were trying to overthink

it like who was buried in Grant's Tomb

that that kind of exactly me to fall for

the cheese I didn't take the cheese you

didn't take the cheese