Travis Hunter’s name was introduced to the football world in 2022 when he shocked everyone by playing wide receiver and cornerback in the same game at Jackson State. Hunter’s numbers were not immediately outstanding, but his serviceable performance on both sides of the field surprised scouts and the media.
It wasn’t until Hunter followed his coach, Deion Sanders, to the University of Colorado that his name and play on the field reached new heights. Hunter captured the Heisman Trophy in 2024 after proving he was elite on both sides of the field.
Now, the argument can be made that Hunter is the best all-around player in the 2025 NFL Draft; however, he started a debate about whether or not his two-way ability is the most impressive among pro sports.
Travis Hunter Sparks 2-Way Difficulty Debate
Due to his skill both offensively and defensively, the next potential two-way star is projected to land with the New England Patriots at fourth overall, according to PFSN’s most recent 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
With the NFL Scouting Combine currently ongoing, Hunter was asked an interesting question relating to the difficulties of playing both sides of the ball at an elite level.
Travis Hunter says him playing both sides in football is more difficult than Shohei Ohtani hitting and pitching in baseball
(via @YahooSports, @ALaboutSports) pic.twitter.com/Pw1nECifla
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) February 28, 2025
“What’s more difficult? What you do in football or what [Shohei] Ohtani does in baseball?” Hunter was posited.
Given the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star’s ability to both pitch and bat, an unheard of combination in the MLB, it’s a fair question to ask of a player who plays offense and defense full-time, something that has not been done to the extent at which Hunter has performed in a long time.
“What I do in football because it’s a lot on your body. Ohtani, he’s a great player, but you gotta do a lot in football,” Hunter answered.
Hunter’s comments immediately sparked interest, stirring up an interesting debate: Is what Hunter does on a football field more difficult than Ohtani pitching and hitting?
There are two different ways to approach a debate comparing two incredibly unique and elite talents across two different sports. First, top-tier skill is demanded to be as good at both positions, such as these men are. Then secondly, to even be able to play both positions in one game, never mind throughout an entire season, the player must be in nearly the best shape an athlete could possibly be in.
But which sport takes more skill to be a two-way star, and which demands the most out of your body? Is football more physically taxing than baseball, like Hunter says it is?
Who Needs More Skill: Hunter or Ohtani?
If you look at this debate from the viewpoint of who needs more raw skill, the answer depends on which sport you view as more difficult overall.
From Hunter’s standpoint, a knack for the technical side of football is needed to be a star as both a wide receiver and cornerback, and in Hunter’s case, he understands the game like no other. An understanding of not only the team’s offensive schemes is needed, but all their defensive schemes as well. By doing that, Hunter proves his dedication to the game of football is unmatched, and it gives him a huge advantage on the field.
Thanks to his understanding of the game, when Hunter lines up as a WR, he already has a jump on the CB defending him because he knows how to think just like his defender, giving him the ability to mentally be steps ahead of his opponent. The same then goes for when he lines up as a defender.
As for Ohtani, baseball is more difficult from a mechanical standpoint. It takes years to master the art of pitching a baseball, and not only is Ohtani doing that at an elite level, but he is also one of the best hitters on the planet. Mentally, to prepare for a different opponent constantly (MLB seasons are 162 games) is incredibly difficult, and Ohtani does it not only when he is up to bat but when he is on the mound as well.
Ohtani plays both positions in one of the hardest sports in the world at a level that has never been seen before in baseball, proving his skill might just be unmatched.
Hunter Says What He Does Is More Physically Demanding
Is the top-five projected pick right to say being a two-way star in football is more difficult because of how tough the sport is on your body? A case can certainly be made in agreement.
Many have wondered how long Hunter can keep up his dual-position stardom because the sport is so demanding on one’s body. Now, double those demands for Hunter, who is playing more snaps than just about anyone on the field. For context, Hunter played 1,443 snaps over 12 games in the 2024 season, averaging 120 plays per game. With how hard football is on the body, those numbers seem unbelievable and exhausting to even look at.
On the other hand, pitching is very tough on the arm, and harsh elbow and arm strains are very common. Aside from that, baseball does not require constant contact with another player, and starting pitchers like Ohtani only pitch once every five games. But in the defense of the three-time MVP, you must be incredibly durable, as baseball players play a game almost every day of the season.
Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter on playing both positions in the NFL: "They say, 'nobody has ever done it the way I do it.' I tell them, 'I'm just different.'"
Hunter wants to play both positions: 100% of snaps at CB and 100% snaps at WR.
(🎥 @SNYGiants)pic.twitter.com/iS7XhIYVJB
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 27, 2025
From a physical aspect, the question becomes which is more sustainable: playing on average 120 snaps a game once a week or batting 5-7 days a week while throwing 80-100 pitches once a week, sometimes twice?
What Hunter and Ohtani are doing at the highest level is nothing short of extraordinary. Their skill sets are so rare that whichever player you believe faces the greater challenge is a valid argument.
In the end, both the football and baseball worlds must acknowledge that we are witnessing the rise of two once-in-a-lifetime talents. Two athletes whose accomplishments redefine what’s possible in their respective sports, and both are just getting started.
Hunter is now months away from proving he is not only a college football phenom but also an NFL legend in the making.