Across the USA there are several high schools with kids that play offense, defense, and special teams. Not because they excel, but out of necessity. Travis Hunter did not go to a small school, in fact Collins High School was once the largest high schools in Georgia. However he played both offense and defense due to his great athletic ability and his intelligence.

 

Hunter would set single season Gwinnett County records on offense, record over 3,500+ receiving yards, and a Georgia state record 48 receiving touchdowns. He also would record 19 interceptions in three seasons, despite missing games (a theme that would be common in college as well).

That is impressive at a high school, but just like the NFL, the collegiate level does not have players responsible for both offense and defense. Although Hunter committed to Florida State, a unique opportunity to play both sides of the ball under the tutelage of the best three way player of the past 35 years presented itself. Hunter would go to Jackson State to play with Head Coach Deion Sanders, and they both transferred together to the University of Colorado.

It would prove to be a wise move. In three years (and just 30 games) with Coach Sanders Hunter would play the most snaps across the NCAA in two of those three years. His best season was his 2024 season, and it was also his healthiest. He played 13 games, earned 96 receptions, 1,258 receiving yards, and 16 offensive touchdowns. Those accolades earned him the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the best wide receiver of the NCAA.

He also earned 36 combined tackles, 11 passes defended, 4 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. Those accolades earned him the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player of the NCAA. It also gave him the edge over Ashton Jeanty to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Hunter would finish his collegiate career with 80 tackles, 22 passes defended, 9 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 touchdown… and he did that with offenses often playing away from his side of the field.

 

Hunter was drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has created a buzz in the fantasy football community in a way not experienced since Michael Vick was drafted out of Virginia Tech. For good reason too, Hunter could be the player that kicks down the locked door to IDPs (Individual Defensive Players) being included with the mainstream of fantasy football.

First and foremost the creator of fantasy football, Bill “Wink” Winkenbach made a roster requirement of two defensive linemen, two linebackers or defensive backs, two kick returners, and two kickers, amongst 12 offensive players. The reason, other than defense and special teams are just as entertaining and integral to football as the offense, is that in 1962 several individuals were responsible for offense, defense, and/or special teams. Simply put they could score and change the outcome of the game.

The first set of eyes on the bust at the NFL Hall of Fame to greet you are Sammy Baugh’s, who in 1943 led the league in punting yards, interceptions, and completion percentage. Benarik “The Sixty Minute Man” played his last season in 1962, the year fantasy football was created, but over the next decade specialized players would become more common. The Baugh, Bednarik, and Paul Hournings of the world would become fewer.

Flash forward 63 years and Hunter has the potential to be a door busting, throwback to a different era. The largest fantasy football league in the world, the Scott Fish Bowl (SFB), is incorporating IDP bonus points exclusively for Hunter. It is the fifteenth year of this fantastic charity league, and the first year with IDP scoring. Hunter’s unique ability will introduce IDP to thousands of fantasy football managers which could lead to numerous fascinating possibilities for the Fantasy Football Industry.

 

The scoring has led him to be a first round pick in several SFB drafts, and drafted earlier compared to his strictly WR ADP. The bonus for Hunter are six points for every sack, safety, or interception, three points for every forced fumble, fumble recovery, and block. two points for tackles, and one point for assisted tackle, tackle for loss, and pass defended. It is yet to be determined how Hunter will be utilized, but he has shown success on both sides of the ball at every level of football thus far.

Hunter will likely be targeted by opposing offenses, as are most rookie defensive backs. Should he have high defensive snap counts every game, he would likely have a significant amount of points from his IDP statistics. This would be eye opening for fantasy football managers that have not experienced the joy of playing with IDPs. Not to mention a rejuvenation in longtime established leagues, and IDP charity leagues such as Fantasy Football Sevens (FF7s), The IDP Invitational, and Michele’s Breast Cancer Classic Fundraiser Best Ball League.

The IDP community is split on how Hunter should be classified and how to incorporate his statistics into points, but with several fantasy sports platforms listing him with dual eligibility he will likely be a cheat code. Or perhaps a key to a lock for a dusty, cobweb covered, forgotten cellar door. Fantasy football managers will take advantage of the dual eligibility on platforms which allow it, and Hunter has potential to become a fantasy football legend in his rookie season.

Without question he is a unique, gifted, and talented football player, one that is worth all the accolades he has been given. But no one outside of the Jacksonville coaching staff really knows how Hunter will be utilized this season or going forward. Although his opportunity to play both sides could be brief, his moment to do so is now. He has sent a shiver down the spine of both opposing offensive and defensive coordinators of the PAC-12 and BIG-12, and he is ready to send a shiver to the fantasy football community as well.

 

There are a few defensive tackles and linebackers used for blocking and short yardage situations in both the past and today’s modern NFL which excludes a true fullback. William “The Refrigerator Perry, Scott Matlock, Patrick Ricard, Dontari Poe, and Malcolm Rodriguez are a few examples. There were also some specialists who catch goal line passes such as Mike Vrabel and JJ Watt.

There have been a few prominent two way players since 1990. Sanders was previously mentioned and finished his career with 7,838 All-purpose yards with 770 of that coming from receiving and rushing. Although less praised, Troy Brown, a wide receiver, played defense for the New England Patriots. Most notably in their 2004 Superbowl season, in which he recorded five passes defended and three interceptions. He is the Patriots all-time leader in punt returns (252) and punt return yards (2,625), and has a NFL career total of 4,487 total return yards.

However Sanders and Brown are exceptions, and making an exception an example is foolish, but Hunter could be an exception to the exception. He won a Heisman Trophy as a two way player, something Sanders nor Brown achieved, and his potential is limitless. Jacksonville also has a plan in mind and earning points from both offense and defense is a rare opportunity.

Perhaps door busting could be too much of an optimistic perception from someone that has been a commissioner of IDP leagues for over a decade and a half, but perhaps not. Either way the locked door to a great deal of potential is there. Behind that dusty door is a well established group ready to be embraced into the mainstream. There is also a vast market of revenue growth, room for expansion in content, creativity for roster requirements/scoring, an avenue to expand appreciation to the game of football, and most importantly a more complete and exciting experience to this fantastic hobby.

Wink knew the importance of impact players when creating fantasy football, and Hunter is just that… regardless of which side of the ball he is on. If he is not the door buster to IDP being incorporated in more leagues, he is at least the key. The fantasy football community simply needs to find the lock.