BEREA, Ohio — With a week to go to the NFL Draft, it remains unclear where two-way star Travis Hunter will play as a professional, and whether he will play on either side of the ball.
But Andrew Berry, general manager of the Cleveland Browns, believes Hunter is worthy of one of the top picks in the draft.
“It’s like Otani, when he plays one side, he’s a great player,” Berry said Thursday at his pre-draft press conference. “If he’s a pitcher, he’s a batter and he’s a great player. If you use him both ways, you obviously get a unicorn.”
The Hunter, who rates No. 2 prospects by Scouts Inc., won the Heisman Trophy in college football after playing 1,481 snaps on offense and defense, playing nearly 300 more than any other player on FBS. He recorded 15 touchdown catches, tied second in the FBS, intercepting four passes. This was tied third in the Big 12.
Otani, a three-time MVP in Major League Baseball, has starred as both a pitcher and a batter. He won his first two MVPS in his first season with the Dodgers last year, earning his third season with the Dodgers last year, becoming the first full-time designated batsman to win an MVP. This came when Otani was rehabilitating his second major elbow surgery that prevented him from pitching.
Berry said the Browns view Hunter primarily as an NFL wide receiver, but are open to him as moonlighting as a defensive back. However, Berry added that all options remain open for Cleveland as it relates to the second pick.
“We use the entire shot clock,” he said.
