Travis Hunter ignores the warnings and follows Deion Sanders’ path

Travis Hunter didn’t come to the NFL to follow the traditional playbook. In his preseason debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 22-year-old made it clear he won’t give up his identity as a two-way player. Despite warnings from seasoned voices like Andrew Hawkins, Hunter—who calls himself a “unicorn”—kept his promise to play both offense and defense, just as Deion Sanders once did. He recorded two receptions for nine yards and participated in eight defensive snaps.

Although the Jaguars lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Travis Hunter’s debut was enough to keep the excitement alive in Jacksonville. His ability to adapt and stay true to his playing style makes him one of the most intriguing figures heading into the season. And while Hawkins, a former NFL wide receiver, said on The Rich Eisen Show that splitting focus between offense and defense could stunt Hunter’s development, the rookie clearly has other plans.

No limits

Travis Hunter isn’t taking cues from Hawkins—he’s listening to Deion Sanders. The Hall of Famer and Hunter’s former coach at Colorado has been vocal about the importance of letting  Hunter play both roles. In comments reported by Five Reasons Sports, Sanders said the NFL is a “slow game” and that coaches who don’t use Hunter on both sides of the ball are wasting talent.

Deion Sanders drops a message, and Shedeur gets to work while chasing his shot with the Browns

Even in college, Travis Hunter proved he could handle the workload. He met daily with both offensive and defensive units. Now, according to The Sports Rush,  Hunter keeps a weekly schedule in the NFL to manage his responsibilities. In a recent interview, he explained that he has everything mapped out to be ready before each game week. “By the end of the week, I’ll have another schedule for the next one,” he said casually, as if it were just part of his routine.

A new generation in the NFL

The Jaguars didn’t use the second overall pick in the 2025 Draft on Travis Hunter by accident. He represents a new generation of athletes who refuse to be boxed in. His discipline, physical endurance, and competitive mindset position Hunter as a player who could redefine what versatility means in the NFL.

For now, fans will have to wait to see the full potential of Travis Hunter. But one thing is already clear: he’s not backing down. Playing two positions isn’t a burden for Travis Hunter—it’s exactly where he wants to be.