Travis Hunter -- 'Super important' to go No. 1, eyes two-way role - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter said Thursday it is «super important'' to him to be the No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft and that he is ready, willing and uniquely able to play on both sides of the ball in his professional career.

Simply labeled as „DB 15'' at the NFL scouting combine this week, the University of Colorado cornerback/wide receiver said the possibility of being the first overall pick has certainly crossed his mind.

“That's super important,'' Hunter said. „That was one of my dreams, to go No. 1.''

Hunter was a must-see performer as college football's most prominent and proficient two-way player in decades, especially this past season when he won college football's highest individual honor. On offense, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns.

And on defense, he had 33 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble. In Colorado's regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, Hunter became the only FBS player over the past 25 seasons with three scrimmage touchdowns and a defensive INT in a single game, per ESPN Research.

Hunter played 1,380 snaps overall in 12 games for Colorado this past season, including 670 on offense, 686 on defense and 24 on special teams. It was 382 more snaps than the next-most active player in the FBS and he topped 100 snaps in 10 of Colorado's 12 games.

Hunter also played 1,007 snaps for Colorado in the 2023 season. He said Thursday he was hopeful whichever team calls his name on the draft's opening night will allow him the chance to play on both sides of the ball.

“I've been doing it for a long time, so I feel like I can keep doing it,'' Hunter said. »… That's not my job to figure it out. I'd like to play both. If they give me the