The Giants’ general manager, Joe Schoen, says the team “would not be afraid” to use Travis Hunter in both offense and defense if New York picks the Colorado Buffaloes star in this month’s NFL Draft.
Hunter a college star at both CB and WR
A prospect who is expected to be one of the opening selections in the 2025 Draft, Hunter has excelled in a twin role – as a cornerback and a wide receiver – in college football. In December, he won the 2024 Heisman Trophy as the year’s outstanding player in the NCAA.
And there is a very real possibility that Hunter, 21, could now join the Giants as he embarks on an NFL career.
After finishing with a 3-14 record in the 2024 season, New York has the third pick in the Draftwhich is to be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24 to 26.
“He’s proven that he can do it”
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Schoen said he “wouldn’t doubt” Hunter’s ability to operate as both a defensive and offensive player in the NFLalbeit he questioned the mental toll it could take on the youngster.
“We’re in a unique position that we have three good receivers and we like our secondary right now,” Schoen said. “So our situation will be unique. We would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball.”
He continued: “I think it would be difficult, but he’s proven that he can do it and be available. That’s the unique part. You’re always concerned with these guys. We’re looking at the workload and the yardage each day.
“To me, what will have to be settled is the mental part of it because the offense is very hard to learn. And then the defense on a weekly basis, it’s not college anymore where, ‘Hey, these are our basic plays, this is our basic defense. We’re going to play cover 3 against Kansas. We’re going to play cover 3 against Nebraska.’
“There’s a lot more week-to-week matchup type stuff that our coaches are doing. Just how much can you handle mentally where you can go out there and execute and they can trust you to do your job? Physically, I wouldn’t doubt the kid.”
“It’s never playing football again”
In an interview with CBS Sports earlier this month, Hunter spoke of his determination to continue playing at both cornerback and wide receiver.
Indeed, the Florida native said he’d rather walk away from the game than be restricted to just one role in the NFL.
“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter said. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.
“I just feel very confident in myself, and I’ve got a competitive spirit that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and I feel like I can do it.”
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