Travis Kelce Explains How NFL Teams Will Attack Travis Hunter

Kelce said that teams will simply run deep routes to try to exhaust Hunter on defense.

Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on Nov. 29, 2024. Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce explained how NFL teams will attack Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter.

Hunter is looking to become the first player in decades to play significant time on both offense and defense but the blueprint to counter him is simple. Appearing on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast, Kelce said most teams will simply run Hunter ragged to wear him down. However, Kelce and co-hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan agreed that Hunter does not need to win a Pro Bowl nomination to make an impact as a rookie.

The exchange began with a trash talk session between Compton and Kelce about the upcoming contest between Compton’s alma mater, Nebraska, and Kelce’s alma mater, Cincinnati, on Aug. 28. The two compared their teams’ records last year, and how Nebraska beat Colorado in September while Cincinnati lost to Colorado in October. Kelce mentioned Hunter by name.

“Do you think he’s going to be good in the NFL?” Lewan interjected.

“100 percent,” Kelce responded.

“That’s a hard question to ask, ‘cause you’re still active, but like, what’s the expectations?” Lewan followed up. “All-Pro both sides?”

“Both sides? See that’s the thing, I don’t know how they’re going to divvy it out,” Kelce answered. “Teams are going to be going after him. Like they’re going to try and make his day miserable.”

Lewan compared Hunter playing both ways to high school football, where two-way players are much more common. Much like in high school, Hunter would have to stay on the field for the entire game.

Kelce then explained how teams would attack Hunter.

“If he plays corner, they’re going to run deep balls at him all day,” Kelce said. “They’re going to run the wide receivers—just take off on him all day, just to try and get him tired. And like, why wouldn’t you just attack him that way?”

But Lewan pointed out that he and Compton went to the Colorado-Nebraska game and observed Hunter pregame.

“You could just see his aura, his attitude pregame, everything,” Lewan said. “He’s got the juice, and he plays. He loves football. I saw him play basketball, and I was like, ‘Oh yeah. He’s an athlete.’”

Lewan then speculated that a player of Hunter’s caliber does not need to make a Pro Bowl as a rookie in order not to be considered a bust. Lewan said that if he plays on all of the team’s snaps on both sides, it would be something that none of the three NFL veterans had ever seen. Hunter only needs to be “solid” on both sides of the ball, the trio agreed.

Hunter played the overwhelming majority of the Buffaloes’ snaps in 2024. He played 714 of 823 offensive snaps—86.8%—and 748 of 902 defensive snaps—82.9%. His total snap count from scrimmage was 1,462 out of 1,725 total team snaps—84.6%. He added another 21 snaps on special teams for a total of 1,483 plays across all phases. No other player in the FBS played more than 56% of snaps for his respective team in the 2024-2025 season. In two seasons at Colorado, he played a total of 2,625 snaps.

Hunter has repeatedly stated his intention to play both sides. At his press conference at the NFL Combine in February, Hunter stated his intention to play 100% of his team’s snaps. Hunter said he puts himself through an extreme routine during the week to keep his body in top condition on game day but also undergoes therapeutic treatments like cold tubs, hot tubs, cryotherapy and red light therapy to make sure he is at 100%. Hunter also mentioned the lack of breaks in the college game; there is much more down time in the NFL.

Jaguars general manager James Gladstone has affirmed Hunter’s incredible stamina.

“He does not tire,” Gladstone told SiriusXM NFL Radio during the Jaguars’ offseason practices in June. “He has got a spark. He has got the energy, the capacity, from a physical standpoint, just to be able to do it. It’s certainly there.”