Notebook: Safeties Heat Things Up, Travis Hunter Doubling Up
As the college football season heats up, defensive backs are making their presence felt, and few players are turning heads quite like Travis Hunter. The electrifying two-way star continues to defy expectations, playing significant snaps on both sides of the ball, while safeties across the country are raising the intensity with hard-hitting plays and game-changing performances.
Safeties Setting the Tone
In today’s game, safeties are more than just the last line of defense—they are enforcers, playmakers, and tone-setters. Across college football, standout safeties are heating things up with aggressive play, strong coverage, and game-changing turnovers.
Physicality is the name of the game, with defensive coordinators utilizing safeties in versatile roles, from blitzing off the edge to locking down top receivers. Players like Alabama’s Caleb Downs and Georgia’s Malaki Starks have been making key plays all season, showcasing elite instincts and tackling ability. Meanwhile, veteran leaders at programs like Michigan and LSU are proving that experience and football IQ are just as important as raw athleticism.
As offenses continue to evolve with spread formations and high-tempo attacks, safeties are adapting, serving as hybrid defenders who can handle both deep coverage and in-the-box run support. Their ability to diagnose plays and react quickly is becoming more valuable than ever.
Travis Hunter: A Two-Way Sensation
No player in college football is doing what Travis Hunter is doing. The Colorado star is not only playing both offense and defense—he’s excelling at both. As a cornerback, he locks down top receivers, showcasing elite coverage skills, ball awareness, and the ability to bait quarterbacks into mistakes. On the other side of the ball, as a receiver, he’s just as dynamic, creating separation, making acrobatic catches, and serving as a reliable target in clutch moments.
Hunter’s two-way dominance is reminiscent of legends like Charles Woodson, but in today’s era of specialization, his workload is nearly unheard of. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has praised Hunter’s endurance and football IQ, emphasizing that his ability to impact the game on both sides is a rare gift.
His presence alone forces opposing teams to adjust game plans, whether it’s avoiding his side of the field on defense or assigning extra coverage to him on offense. Even with the demands of playing both ways, Hunter has shown no signs of slowing down, proving that he’s one of the most unique talents in college football.
Looking Ahead
With conference play ramping up, safeties will continue to play a crucial role in defensive schemes, and Hunter’s two-way impact will be a storyline to watch week after week. As teams fight for playoff positioning, expect defensive intensity to rise—and for players like Hunter to continue making highlight-reel plays on both sides of the ball.
Whether it’s safeties bringing the heat or Travis Hunter redefining what’s possible for a college football player, one thing is certain: the action is just getting started.
