Mike Vrabel Sends Clear Message About Travis Hunter Playing Both Ways

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 1:36 PM

mike vrabel sends clear message about travis hunter playing both ways

Travis Hunter has cemented himself as one of the most unique and dynamic prospects in NFL Draft history. The Colorado star achieved something never before seen at the collegiate level, excelling as both a wide receiver and a cornerback. His historic season earned him the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver, the Chuck Bednarik Award as the country’s top defensive player, and the ultimate individual honor—the Heisman Trophy. Now, as he prepares for the NFL, all eyes are on how his next team will utilize his extraordinary skill set. Hunter has made it clear that he wants to continue playing both ways at the professional level, something rarely seen in today’s NFL. While challenging, it isn’t entirely unprecedented.

Vrabes knows a thing or two about playing offense and defense 🤣📺: #NFLCombine on NFLN pic.twitter.com/Hsdzk4dXNY During the NFL Scouting Combine, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reminded Hunter that he himself played both ways during his career, catching 12 touchdown passes as a linebacker-turned-tight end in goal-line situations. While Hunter’s ambitions are far more extensive, the anecdote underscores how rare and special his talent is. Travis Hunter is convinced he can be a two-way player in the NFL. Mike Vrabel, though, isn't so sure. On his way to claiming the 2024 Heisman Trophy, Hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes.

As he prepares to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he wants to continue playing both positions. "I've been doing it for a long time, so, I feel like I can keep doing it," Hunter said in February at the Scouting Combine. Travis Hunter wants to play both offense and defense in the NFL. One possible landing spot for Hunter is with the New England Patriots, who have the No. 4 pick. Head coach Mike Vrabel seemed to imply that the Pats wouldn't be able to accommodate Hunter's request to play both sides.

Mike Vrabel addresses whether or not the Patriots would play Travis Hunter both ways. For the Patriots, it would be a good problem to have: Where do you play Travis Hunter? The dual-threat Heisman Trophy-winner from Colorado might be the best football player in the 2025 NFL Draft. If he's not, he's No. 2, behind Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter. Part of Hunter's value is tied to his versatility, where he brings next-level athleticism and ball skills to both the receiver and cornerback positions.

But if Hunter somehow fell to the Patriots with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, it doesn't sound as though Mike Vrabel would be all that keen on asking Hunter to do what he did at Colorado as an almost full-time player... Subscribe to NBC Sports Boston's podcast network to hear our Insiders bring you the latest insights on your favorite teams! TUCSON, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. The Buffalos defeated the Wildcats 34-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

With all three teams picking above the New England Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft still dealing with uncertainty at the quarterback position, it is looking possible that Heisman winner Travis Hunter could fall... Hunter is viewed by many as one of just two blue-chip players in this draft, but what makes him unique is the fact that he has game-changing upside at two positions - wide receiver... Hunter played both ways full time at Colorado over the last two years. In 13 games in 2024 he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while recording four interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense. After the season he was named a unanimous All-American on both offense and defense. Could Hunter continue to be a full-time two-way player at the NFL level?

Experts are split on that, with the physicality and wear-and-tear that comes with playing down-to-down in the NFL often being cited as a reason it would be unrealistic for Hunter - or any player... <em><sup>Travis Hunter was a standout player both at wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado the last two years. </sup></em> New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and top draft prospect Travis Hunter had some fun jawing back and forth about life as a two-way player. Sure, Hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback throughout his collegiate career, but Vrabel knows a thing or two about playing on offense and defense as well. The three-time Super Bowl champion was mostly known for being a former All-Pro linebacker in the NFL, but he also caught 10 touchdown passes.

"I'm sure Travis doesn't even know, but we were kind of jawing back and forth as he left last night. And I said, 'You're not the only one that played two ways. There were some other guys that did this too,'" Vrabel said on NFL Network. "He kind of like looked at me, and we laughed." Hunter could potentially fall to the Patriots at No. 4 on the 2025 NFL draft board.

They need help at both cornerback and receiver, and the Heisman Trophy winner is a rare player who would be a major addition to the roster. He could boost the Patriots' struggling receiving corps, or he could serve as a dominalnt one-two punch in the defensive backfield with All-Pro corner Christian Gonzalez. Travis Hunter wants to play both offense and defense in the NFL like he did at Colorado, and the New England Patriots are one team that might be open to letting him do that. The Patriots have the No. 4 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Hunter is one of the players who could be available at that spot.

Mike Vrabel was asked about Hunter on Monday at the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. The Patriots head coach indicated that he would be willing to give Hunter reps at both wide receiver and defensive back. “I think there’s some things he can improve on by probably concentrating on just one position. But never going to put any restrictions on Travis or any player,” Vrabel said, via Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. “We try as much as they can handle. We’re going to continue to put more on their plate.

“If he were on our football team and showed great skill at one position, and started to really do well in his conditioning, and it didn’t fall and didn’t drop (off), we would be... Anything that would help the football team, I’d be all in favor of.” While Vrabel said he would not place restrictions on Hunter, he also noted that he believes there needs to be a “primary focus” for any player who wants to succeed in the NFL. Updated on: February 28, 2025 / 8:56 AM EST / CBS Boston When the New England Patriots met with two-way star Travis Hunter at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, head coach Mike Vrabel made sure the 21-year-old got a bit of a history lesson about... In typical Vrabel fashion, he did so by talking some trash.

There is a growing sentiment that Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy after a dynamic season as a star receiver and corner for the Colorado Buffalos, could fall to New England at fourth overall... He's listed as a defensive back at the Combine, but given his explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball, he should also get some looks at receiver at the pro level. Vrabel knows a thing or two about bringing it on both offense and defense. While the former linebacker didn't play as much offense as Hunter, Vrabel was a touchdown machine for the Patriots in the red zone, catching a dozen touchdowns over his career. He made sure Hunter knew about those catches when the Patriots met with the two-way star in Indianapolis.

Mike Vrabel Sends Clear Message About Travis Hunter Playing Both Ways

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