Champ Bailey Breaks Down Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Brilliance and NFL Future
When it comes to keeping tabs on “Georgia guys,” there’s no one more invested than Champ Bailey. The Hall of Fame cornerback, who grew up in Folkston, Georgia, and became an All-American at the University of Georgia, has a special place in his heart for players who share his roots. This season, one of those “Georgia guys” has taken the college football world by storm: Colorado’s electrifying wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
Hunter, a native of Suwanee, Georgia, has been nothing short of spectacular, dominating on both sides of the ball in a way that’s rarely seen at any level of football. On offense, he’s racked up 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense, he’s been just as impactful, tallying 33 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. In Colorado’s regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, Hunter made history, becoming the only FBS player in the past 25 seasons to record three scrimmage touchdowns and a defensive interception in the same game, according to ESPN Research.
“He’s doing things you probably won’t see again,” Bailey said, marveling at Hunter’s unique skill set.
Hunter’s Talent: A Rare Breed
Bailey knows a thing or two about excelling on both sides of the ball. During his final season at Georgia in 1998, he won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s best defensive player, snagging three interceptions as a cornerback. But he also contributed heavily on offense, catching 47 passes for 744 yards and five touchdowns. Bailey played over 1,000 snaps that season and finished seventh in Heisman voting. However, when he transitioned to the NFL, he primarily played cornerback, with only nine targets as a receiver during his 15-year career.
Hunter, listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, draws frequent comparisons to Bailey, who measured 6-foot and 184 pounds at the 1999 NFL Combine. Both players share elite speed, explosiveness, and ball skills. Bailey, who has spent time watching Hunter, sees a future star in the making.
“He just loves football. You can see it by the way he plays—he’s the ultimate competitor,” Bailey said. “Travis is probably more refined in coverage than I was at that age. He’s been schooled better at this point—his coach is Deion Sanders, one of the best to ever play corner. His hands are in the right place, his eyes are in the right place, and he understands route concepts and where the ball is going.”
The Challenge of Playing Both Ways
Hunter’s workload this season has been nothing short of Herculean. He’s played 1,380 snaps across 12 games, including 670 on offense, 686 on defense, and 24 on special teams. That’s 382 more snaps than the next-most active player in the FBS. To put that in perspective, the most active NFL players typically play around 1,000 snaps in a season—on just one side of the ball.
Bailey, who played both ways during his college career, understands the immense physical and mental toll this takes.
“In my last season at Georgia, I returned kickoffs and punts, played corner, and played wide receiver—they didn’t hold me out of anything,” Bailey said. “But as you go from high school to college, and college to the NFL, the preparation becomes a big thing for the coaches. You’re trying to show them you’re prepared enough to be out there and that you can hold up. That takes convincing.”
- Hunter has played over 100 snaps in 10 of his 12 games this season.
- He’s logged 382 more snaps than the next-most active FBS player.
- His 1,380 snaps this season include offense, defense, and special teams.
Bailey also highlighted the mental pressure that comes with playing both ways. “Playing both ways means putting extra stuff on your plate, and people are counting on you to do it. That mental pressure will take the biggest toll unless you really love what you’re doing and go all in,” he said.
What’s Next for Hunter?
As Hunter prepares for the next chapter of his football journey, the big question is whether he can continue playing both offense and defense in the NFL. Bailey, who had aspirations of playing both ways in the pros, believes it will depend largely on the team and coach that drafts him.
“My conversations with people before the draft were basically, ‘You’re a corner, and we’ll find some things on offense for you,’” Bailey said. “For Travis, it’s all about who his coach is in the NFL and how much they think is possible. No matter what you can do on the field, the head coach controls the schedule and how you practice.”
If Bailey were making the decision, he’d prioritize Hunter’s future at cornerback. “I’d ask Travis to play full-time corner first because it is far more difficult to find a player like him at CB with all he brings to the position,” Bailey explained. “He is a gifted receiver, no question—a superior receiver. But to find him at corner is so, so rare.”
Ultimately, Bailey believes Hunter has the talent to excel no matter where he plays. “The advantage he has is, whatever he plays, he’s going to be one of the best in the league,” Bailey said.
Originally Written by: Jeff Legwold
