Ad Disclosure
Booger McFarland: ‘Disrespectful’ to think Travis Hunter can be 2-way NFL player
Published:
Booger McFarland says it is “disrespectful” to players who are currently in the NFL to expect Colorado star Travis Hunter to be able to “major” in both wide receiver and corner at the next level.
Hunter currently plays both ways for the Buffaloes, where he has shot to stardom thanks to elite athleticism and ball skills. He makes highlight-level plays on a weekly basis. McFarland, speaking on the Dan Patrick Show on Friday, said Hunter might be able to do feature on one side of the ball and fill a smaller role on the other side in the NFL, but he doesn’t think Hunter can play every snap the way he currently does for Colorado.
“His ball skills are unreal. I think he’s a better receiver than corner. I think he has punt return skills. Can he do both? Sure, he can do both,” McFarland said. “But, this league, to me, it would be disrespectful to the guys that show up every day and have done it for years and do it at a high level on 1 side of the ball to say a guy could come in and do it on both sides.
“… Even Deion (Sanders), as great as Deion was, his primary position was cornerback. He dibbled and dabbled at receiver a little bit, but his greatest position was cornerback. I just think it’s disrespectful to the level of athlete and the level of professionalism that these guys show on the field to think that Travis can come in and major at receiver and corner. Can he minor at one of them? Sure, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to do both.”
“I just think it’s disrespectful to the level of athlete and professionalism that these guys show on the field to think that Travis can come in and major at receiver and corner. Can he minor at one of them sure, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to do both.”
–@ESPNBooger pic.twitter.com/gl4jA3RcPz
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) September 20, 2024
In 3 games so far this season, per Pro Football Focus, Hunter has played 177 snaps on offense and 202 snaps on defense. He leads all CU pass-catchers with 30 receptions and 342 yards on the season. He brought in 3 of his 5 receiving touchdowns in the opener against North Dakota State, and he has gone over 100 yards in all 3 games.
On defense, Hunter has 11 tackles, 2 pass breakups, and an interception. He has given up catches on 11 of the 14 targets he has faced, per PFF, but has yet to allow a touchdown and has generated a 59.2 passer rating from quarterbacks who have thrown at him.
In Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent big board for ESPN, he has Hunter ranked as the top overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
Hunter and the Buffs face Baylor at home on Saturday. The game will be CU’s first conference game since rejoining the Big 12. The Buffs are a 2-point favorite (DraftKings). Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
