Travis Hunter NFL mock draft: Where is Colorado two-way football star projected to go in NFL draft?

With the 2024 college football regular season already at its halfway point, there has been one unanimous conclusion made by many: Colorado football's wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter continues to be one of the more unique players in the country.

It's a conclusion that is not new nor comes as a surprise to those who have followed Hunter since he broke out as a two-way player under Deion Sanders at Jackson State before following Coach Prime to Colorado last season.

The Suwanee, Georgia native has caught 46 passes for 561 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns on offense while racking up 15 tackles and two interceptions through the first five games of the season. As noted by ESPN's Jordan Reid and Matt Miller, Hunter is the only FBS player in the past three decades with at least 10 career touchdown receptions and five interceptions, per ESPN Research.

REQURIED READING: What Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said about Deion Sanders' Colorado football team

But with the halfway point coming and going, NFL draft buzz has ramped up around Hunter — who is ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s No. 1 prospect in this year's draft class — and whether he will play wide receiver or cornerback in the NFL? Or will he continue being a two-way player?

In an ESPN article from Reid and Miller, an AFC South area scout told them though Hunter is "really good at both positions," he could be a "good wide receiver immediately" in the NFL. While an AFC East area scout told them, though he believes Hunter "can play whatever he wants" in the NFL, he thinks Hunter is put at wide receiver as the league is shifting to more wide-open offenses.

Time will only tell on what position an NFL team drafts Hunter under. But one thing is for certain: his name should be taken off the board rather early in the first round, if not the first one.

Here's more on Hunter's NFL draft mock status and scouting report as Colorado returns to play this weekend to take on No. 19 Kansas State at home:

Travis Hunter NFL Mock Draft

Hunter is currently ranked as the No. 1 prospect on ESPN's NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board of top 2025 NFL Draft prospects. He is also ranked the No. 1 wide receiver and tied for the top cornerback with Michigan CB Will Johnson on Kiper's positional groups.

Here's a look at where some NFL draft analysts have Hunter going in their latest mock drafts through the first six weeks of the season:

• USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (as of Oct. 2): No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
• CBS Sports' Josh Edwards (as of Oct. 4): No. 1 overall to the New England Patriots
• Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema (as of Oct. 2): No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Travis Hunter scouting report

Here's the scouting report from Kiper on Hunter:

"Hunter has a great feel for the game on both offense and defense, and he has played a whopping 620 snaps through five games this season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways, though I'm ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him.

Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but he also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential. Hunter has at least seven catches in every game so far this season."

Travis Hunter stats

Here's a year-by-year breakdown of Hunter's stats throughout his collegiate career, both on offense and defense:

• 2022 (Jackson State): 18 receptions for 190 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns; 19 total tackles, eight broken-up passes and two interceptions (one returned for a score)
• 2023 (Colorado): 57 receptions for 721 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns; 31 total tackles, five broken-up passes and three interceptions
• 2024 (Colorado): 46 receptions for 561 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns; 15 total tackles, three broken-up passes, two interceptions and one fumble forced

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Travis Hunter NFL mock draft: Where is Colorado two-way football star projected to go in NFL draft?