What Will Define Travis Hunter’s Success in the NFL?

Travis Hunter is unlike any prospect we've ever seen. After being selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, the question now isn’t just how good can he be, but how do we even define success for someone like him?

This thought was first sparked during a segment on Bussin’ With the Boys, before their interview with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. They posed a fascinating question: When Hunter retires 15 or 20 years from now, what would a successful career even look like for a player as unique as him?

Let’s dive into the possibilities—and the precedent-breaking potential—of Hunter’s NFL future.

Travis Hunter’s Unique Situation

The Jaguars didn’t just stumble into Hunter—they moved up three spots and gave up a haul to get him. That tells you all you need to know about how Jacksonville sees him: as a generational talent with legitimate two-way potential. New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has already said Hunter will begin his NFL career primarily on offense, but with a long-term plan to work him in on defense as well.

This already puts Hunter in rare air. He enters the league with top-three odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and top-five odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. That alone makes him one of the most fascinating players in league history before he’s even taken a professional snap.

Outside of Deion Sanders and, to a much smaller extent, Charles Woodson, we’ve never seen a modern player contribute significantly on both sides of the ball. If Hunter succeeds in doing so, we’re talking about redefining what’s possible in professional football.

The Four Potential Paths for Hunter's Career

Let’s break down four realistic scenarios for Hunter’s NFL career—and what each could mean historically.

1. GOAT Status: Elite on Both Sides of the Ball

This is the dream. Hunter becomes a top-tier wide receiver and cornerback, playing at an All-Pro level in both roles. If this happens—even for part of his career—he enters the conversation as the greatest football player ever and arguably the greatest athlete of all time.

Think about it: no player in NFL history has ever been elite on both sides of the ball in the modern era. Not even Deion. If Hunter can break that mold, he's not just a Hall of Famer—he’s a legend across all sports.

That said, this is the most unlikely outcome. Not because of his talent, but because the physical and mental toll of playing both ways at an elite level is nearly unprecedented.

2. Elite at One Position, Functional at the Other

This is the most likely scenario.

Maybe he becomes a top-tier wide receiver—someone who can make multiple Pro Bowls or even earn All-Pro recognition—while being a package player on defense. A functional corner who isn't your CB1 or even CB2, but who can cover in specific schemes and give you versatility.

Given the earning potential and spotlight of playing wide receiver in today’s NFL, this is where Hunter may naturally lean. The money, the brand-building, and the position value all favor offense. And based on what we’ve seen from him at Jackson State and Colorado, it’s a strong possibility.

This route still puts him in rare company and very much in the Hall of Fame conversation. Being great at one thing and solid at another is a special kind of value—one that no other player in the league brings.

3. Flip the Script: Elite Defender, Functional Offensive Weapon

This is the reverse scenario. Hunter becomes one of the league’s best cornerbacks—using his instincts, length, and recovery speed to shut down elite receivers. Meanwhile, he plays sparingly on offense: maybe in gadget roles, red zone sets, or special trick plays.

Again, this is entirely plausible. Defense is where he’s spent most of his football life, and many scouts believe his ceiling is highest at corner.

If this happens, he’s still a Hall of Fame candidate if his defensive resume is strong enough. But the novelty and impact of contributing—even slightly—on offense could elevate his historical significance.

4. Functional Two-Way Player

Here’s the lowest tier of “success” that still rewrites NFL norms.

In this world, Hunter becomes a WR3 and CB3. Not a star, not a liability—just a solid, rotational player who contributes 30 snaps on each side of the ball. Maybe he puts up 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns while holding quarterbacks to a 60% completion rate and grabbing a couple of picks.

This version of Hunter never makes a Pro Bowl. But it would still make him one of the most unique players in league history. No one has sustained two-way play at the NFL level. If he does—even just adequately—it’s Hall of Fame worthy because of the precedent it sets.

Redefining Greatness

The broader question behind this entire conversation is: How do we measure greatness in football?

Traditionally, we’ve used stats, accolades, rings. But what about impact? What about doing something that no one else can do?

In most debates about the greatest athletes ever, football players are often left out—largely because they play only one side of the ball. Michael Jordan guarded the best and scored on the best. That argument has never existed in football—until now.

If Travis Hunter can succeed on both sides, even to a moderate degree, he reopens that discussion.

The Verdict: Any Path Could Lead to Canton

Let’s be clear: barring a total flameout—which seems highly unlikely given his talent and the Jaguars’ investment—Hunter is on a Hall of Fame trajectory no matter how his career unfolds.

• If he's elite on both sides? GOAT conversations.

• If he's great on one side and functional on the other? Hall of Fame-level impact.

• If he's solid on both sides? Historic, game-defining presence.

The bottom line? He doesn’t have to be perfect to be iconic. The mere fact that he might change what’s possible in the NFL is enough.

A Reason to Watch Jacksonville

As a fan based in South Carolina, I’ve already started thinking about road-tripping to Jacksonville. I’m a Green Bay Packers fan, but Hunter might just be the main event every Sunday. He’s that compelling. He’s that rare.

Fifteen years from now, if we look back and realize we just witnessed the most unique football career ever—maybe even the greatest athlete of all time—I won’t be surprised.

Let’s sit back and watch it unfold.

What do you think? Will Travis Hunter be a legend, a star, or something in between? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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