Ohio State's Ryan Day announces modified Travis Hunter role for star Alabama transfer
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has somewhat of a modified Travis Hunter role planned for Caleb Downs during the 2024 season: a safety-first role in the Buckeyes' secondary and a last-case-scenario running back in the event TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins both go down with injuries.
"We started having conversations with Caleb during the recruting process of him doing a little bit of running back as well," Day prefaced before saying, "It’s something he wanted to do. We’ve been having him in the meetings and some of the individual drills — as a possibility there if he’s needed down the road — to continue to build depth at the position."
Downs abandoned the Alabama ship after Nick Saban retired and is now joining a star-studded, coach-wise and talent-wise, Ohio State team that's projected to have a strong chance at getting a revenge title after Michigan finally won the big one.
As for the muse for his new role, Hunter isn't a running back. Yet. He could be given a chance to kick a PAT at some point this season, though. He's that versatile.
Hunter is looking to expand his versatility this season with some work at the nickel position. Buffs CB coach Kevin Mathis is planning on fitting him alongside several difference-making incoming transfers.
“He’s been playing the majority inside and when we can have him do that and be strong and outside with Preston (Hodge) and DJ (McKinney), it’s gonna be a sight to see and we are excited about that,” Mathis said (h/t Times-Call).
NFL front offices will be salivating over the increasingly expansive skillset.
Travis Hunter must excel at WR or CB in 2024 to be a top pick
Just because every NFL franchise could have an interest in Hunter, doesn't mean they'll use a top pick on the two-way star. If the 2024 draft is any indication, Shedeur Sanders will have an easier time getting top-pick money.
Hunter needs to be a standout on either side of the ball, and if it leads to him honing in on one of the positions, so be it, for NFL franchises to consider him for a top-10 picks. Versatility loses value at the next level.