- NCAA. Travis Hunter 2.0? The newest two-way star in College Football is ready to take over the sport
- NFL. Jerry Jones has a dilemma to strengthen the Cowboys' offense: A 'dark horse' or go all in on Travis Hunter?
Travis Hunter's got his eyes peeled-the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner's draft stock is soaring, but a Texas defensive back's making waves that could shake up the New England Patriots' plans at No. 4. Hunter, Colorado's two-way dynamo, has been a lock for the Pats in mock drafts-92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs, plus 4 picks and 11 breakups as a corner in '24.
But whispers of a $161M bait-think jaw-dropping contract hype-have fans buzzing about his worth, while Longhorns star Jahdae Barron's late surge is throwing a curveball into the mix.
Hunter's no ordinary prospect-first guy to snag both the Biletnikoff (top receiver) and Bednarik (top defender) awards in one season. "I can do everything for real-I can do anything on a football field," he boasted at the NFL Combine in February, flexing his rare versatility.
The Patriots, desperate for playmakers around QB Drake Maye after a 3-14 skid, see Hunter as a fix-maybe at wideout, maybe locking down corners opposite Christian Gonzalez. X posts are hyped: "Travis to NE is a no-brainer!" one fan cheered-but Texas' Jahdae Barron's got scouts buzzing too, and that's where it gets juicy.
Patriots rethink R1: Hunter or Texas defensive star?
Barron, the Jim Thorpe Award champ as college football's best DB, lit up 2024 with a 91.5 PFF coverage grade-tops among FBS corners-and a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash at the Combine. "He's a lockdown guy-physical, fast, clutch," an X scout raved, nodding to his 5 picks and 12 breakups.
With the Pats' secondary already boasting Gonzalez, Barron's tempting as a pure corner fit-less flash than Hunter's two-way hype, but all grit. Suddenly, that $161M dream deal for Hunter-pure fan fiction for now-feels like bait to rethink: splashy unicorn or proven specialist?
Hunter's on alert. He skipped Combine workouts but crushed Big 12 Pro Day on March 20, clocking a 4.35 40 and showing off that freaky footwork. "If they say I'm a corner, I'll still push for receiver," he grinned, keeping his options wide open. The Patriots, with $80M in cap space, could pair him with free-agent Stefon Diggs, but Barron's cheaper rookie deal fits their rebuild vibe too.