Hall of Famer Rod Woodson has expressed skepticism about Jacksonville Jaguars player Travis Hunter’s plan to play both cornerback and receiver at the professional level. Woodson, who was one of the top corners in the National Football League during the 1990s before finishing his career as a safety, addressed Hunter’s two-way ambitions during an appearance on the Rich Eisen podcast.
Woodson said that while Hunter was able to play on both sides of the ball at Colorado under coach Deion Sanders, replicating that workload in the National Football League would be a significant challenge. “Let’s throw back from centuries ago. Ok, everybody played both ways, and he was very blessed to be with the head coach in college to allow him to play both ways in Prime,” Woodson told Rich Eisen when asked why Hunter could have trouble playing two ways in the National Football League. “And so Prime does know that, but the coaches in the league, they’re not prime. They didn’t play both ways. They’re going to give them opportunity to make some plays on offense, be on defense.”
Woodson continued: “Is he going to play 85 plays? 90 plays a game for 17 weeks? That’s a tough ask on your body. If anybody’s going to do it, he’s going to be the one. But I think that’s a real tough ask on the body. If you want to play at the highest level that you can possibly play at the cornerback position, and then add to something at the receiver position. That’s a real tough task because the running backs that are going to come through. I mean, how is he going to tackle Derrick Henry if he played the Baltimore Ravens?”
The Jaguars made their intentions clear by trading up for Hunter with plans for him as a two-way player. He saw time primarily as a receiver early in offseason programs but began getting reps at cornerback later during mandatory minicamp and then practiced on offense and defense within single days.
Woodson did not say outright that Hunter cannot succeed but highlighted challenges facing anyone attempting such a role change in today’s professional football environment.
Despite Woodson’s doubts, supporters note Hunter’s rare athletic ability may give him an opportunity few others have had.
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