Travis Hunter Faces Criticism Over Play Before NFL Season

Travis Hunter Faces Criticism Over Play Before NFL Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby didn’t mince words when asked about Travis Hunter’s unprecedented potential to play both sides of the ball in the NFL. While he respects the former Colorado Buffaloes phenom’s skills, Crosby isn’t convinced the Jacksonville Jaguars will actually unleash him that way.

“Yeah, that’s a different animal bro,” Crosby said on The Rush With Maxx Crosby. “We’re in the NFL, I don’t think coaches are stupid. What I mean is, they’re going to do their best to protect their asset.”

It’s a calculated opinion, and one that hits home for Colorado fans dreaming of seeing Hunter redefine the pro game the same way he shook up the college landscape.

Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, stunned the sports world by excelling as both a lockdown cornerback and a game-breaking wide receiver at Colorado under Deion Sanders. In 2024, he posted 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and tallied 4 interceptions with 11 pass breakups on defense.

But the NFL isn’t the Big 12. And Crosby, a three-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss in 2024, knows what it takes to survive in a league where physical tolls add up fast.

“It’s a business at the end of the day,” Crosby added. “You gotta have him out there for a duration of a whole season, so it’ll be interesting.”

Jacksonville is investing $46.6 million over four years in Hunter, with most of that money riding on his availability. With NFL offenses and defenses more specialized and more violent than ever, few believe a two-way star can stay healthy for a full 17-game season, let alone perform at an elite level.

But if anyone can challenge that norm, it’s Hunter. He played over 110 snaps in multiple games last fall and rarely looked fatigued. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has repeatedly said Hunter is “built different,” and those close to the program believe his competitive edge and elite athleticism give him a real shot.

The Jaguars have yet to confirm exactly how they’ll deploy Hunter. Early reports suggest he’ll start at corner but could see limited packages on offense. Still, fans in Boulder and beyond are hoping the NFL’s play-it-safe mentality doesn’t hold back one of the most electrifying talents to enter the league in a generation.

As for Crosby, his skepticism isn’t hate, it’s hard-earned wisdom. And in a league defined by durability, his words are a reality check.

But Travis Hunter has made a career out of doing what others thought impossible.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

Travis Hunter Faces Criticism Over Play Before NFL Season

Tags: