Former Colorado Defensive Coordinator Reveals Travis Hunter’s Ideal NFL Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Few players in college football have sparked more debate, and awe than Travis Hunter. And few coaches know him better than Charles Kelly.
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The former Colorado defensive coordinator spent a season witnessing Hunter’s generational two-way talent up close. Now the head coach at Jacksonville State, Kelly recently shared his unfiltered thoughts on where Hunter should line up in the NFL, and it’s a strong vote for defense.
“I’m playing him on defense and let him play offense in situations,” Kelly told reporters at the Alabama Sports Writers Association convention. “He can go get the ball… he is deadly when his eyes are to the quarterback.”
For Buffaloes fans who watched Hunter’s 2023 breakout, this endorsement comes as no surprise. That season, Hunter captured the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player and earned All-American honors. In just nine games, he notched 3 interceptions, 31 tackles, and 5 pass breakups, all while racking up over 700 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns on offense.
But for Kelly, Hunter’s true value lies not in highlight-reel touchdowns, but in game-changing defensive vision.
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“When he can see where that quarterback is looking, he can find the ball,” Kelly said. “That’s what hurt us with him—we weren’t good enough up front to play a lot of zone. We had to play a lot of man-to-man.”
It’s a telling reflection. Even while Colorado struggled defensively in 2023, Kelly still saw glimpses of Hunter’s elite instincts. Special instincts that, in a more complete defense, would have been fully unleashed.
Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Travis Hunter.Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The NFL has taken notice. After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2024, becoming the first two-way player to do so since Charles Woodson, Hunter was selected No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jags intend to use him as a two-way weapon, but Kelly thinks they’d be wise to lean into his ball-hawking abilities on defense first.
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“I do think he can play offense,” Kelly acknowledged. “You can put things in scheme-wise to get him open. But when his eyes are on the quarterback? That’s when he’s at his best.”
For Colorado fans still glowing from Hunter’s legacy in Boulder, it’s gratifying to hear a respected voice like Kelly’s reinforce what they already know: Hunter isn’t just a versatile star, he’s a defensive difference-maker with a rare gift.
And in the NFL, where turnovers change games and instincts can’t be taught, Kelly’s advice to Jacksonville might be the smartest game plan yet.
Travis Hunter Colorado Buffaloes defense interception NCAA football
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
