Travis Hunter NFL future decided by ex-coach as doubt cast over Deion Sanders plan

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy believes two-way Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter must pick a side when he enters the NFL .

Last week, Hunter beat out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to win the Heisman Trophy .

His consistently elite performances on both sides of the ball for Colorado ensured that Hunter became not only the first wide receiver since DeVonta Smith in 2020 to win the coveted award, but the first two-way player since Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson in 1997.

While starring for Colorado in 2024, Hunter played an astounding 120.3 snaps per game.

Lining up at receiver, Hunter hauled in 92 passes for 1,152 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per reception.

He also rushed for five yards on two carries and a score, averaging 2.5 yards per carry.

Shedeur Sanders landing spot thrown into doubt as Malik Nabers makes Giants claim Deion Sanders secures huge Colorado QB transfer to replace NFL-bound Shedeur On defense, he was tied for No.

5 nationally in passes defended with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

Hunter is set to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft , and questions will remain over whether he can truly play two ways in the league.

On Tuesday, former NFL offensive coordinator Bieniemy appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

Bieniemy discussed Hunters prospects at the next level, and suggested he must pick one side of the ball: I think the kid can be an outstanding receiver...

Youve got to pick and choose a side.

Until draft day arrives, speculation will linger over which position Hunter will choose to play once he gets into the league.

Perhaps teams will covet the 21-year-old more once he does amid durability concerns.

Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news But his Colorado head coach and NFL icon Deion Sanders , who played offense and defense at times as well as pro baseball, believes Hunter can follow in his footsteps .

Sanders famously played both ways in the NFL, registering 60 catches for 784 yards and three touchdowns on offense alongside his Hall of Fame career as a cornerback.

Sanders told reporters: The thing about Travis is, if you put him on, if he plays cornerback, and he's being dominant out there, and you sit up there and you can't move the ball at the next level, you're gonna say 'Well, my best receiver's on the sidelines, somebody come on...

Travis is a football player, and you can't have a football player on the sidelines.

Hunter would be a great fit for a team like the New England Patriots .

The AFC East franchise is in desperate need of talent on both sides of the ball, but mainly offense at receiver to help quarterback Drake Maye .

Hunter could also contribute on defense where necessary, as the Pats already have fine corners in Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones.

While the college football regular season is over, and Colorado missed out on a place in the inaugural expanded playoff, theres still a long way for Hunter to go before the NFL Draft.

It will be interesting to see how he navigates the Scouting Combine and pro days, and any whispers that arise from interested teams over a preferred position.

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