The 2024 college football season was one full of novelty, highlighted by the Heisman Trophy being awarded to a non-quarterback for the first time since 2020 (Devonta Smith) and a player who played significant snaps on the defensive side of the ball for the first time since 1997 (Charles Woodson). Colorado prospect Travis Hunter exudes novelty as a player who played nearly equal time on both offense and defense, leading NFL scouts to debate which side of the ball he’ll play on in the NFL.

Hunter’s playing on both sides was not just a novelty, though; it was a dominant display of versatility. He played 709 snaps on offense, grading out as the team’s second-best player on that side of the ball, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), behind only presumed top draft pick quarterback Shedeur Sanders. His 85.3 PFF grade on offense graded out as the eighth-best score for a receiver in the NCAA this year. That wasn’t his best side of the ball, though. With 713 snaps on defense, Hunter graded out as the Buffaloes’ best defensive player by a good amount and also graded as the nation’s second-best cornerback.

He leaves college football as the first player in college football history to win both the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation’s best defensive player and the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best wide receiver. Those, along with the Heisman, are just three of several awards crowding Hunter’s shelf from the 2024 season.

The NFL will be a different story for Hunter. In Boulder, coaches knew that, because of the heightened load of playing on both offense and defense on Saturdays, Hunter needed a lightened load in practice during the week. It was also impossible for Hunter to attend both offensive and defensive meetings (as well as broken-down meetings with individual position groups) simultaneously, so he had to budget his time between meetings.

Once he’s in the NFL, that won’t fly. The jump from college to professional football often presents a giant learning curve for rookies. Hunter will most likely have his plate full getting up to speed in practices and meetings for one position, let alone both. So, the question arises: which side will be the focus for Hunter in the NFL? In order to make that decision, scouts must confront another question: on which side of the ball does Hunter have the greatest chance to be a top-shelf player and add the most value to his team?

The resounding answer from scouts, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, has been cornerback. Jay Glazer of FOX Sports spoke with 13 NFL general managers who agreed with Breer’s scouts, as 12 GMs claimed their preference was on defense. While it’s been a long time, this situation isn’t totally without precedent. Woodson, Champ Bailey, and Chris Gamble were all full-time, two-way players in college (Woodson less so), and all three became defensive backs at the next level.

Both scouts and GMs asserted that, though his primary position should be cornerback, they would certainly find packages in which to utilize his elite ball skills on offense. Likely this would be in third down and passing down situations. They could also utilize his playmaking ability on special teams in the return game, as well. A true shutdown cornerback can be harder to find and can be more impactful than a top receiver, though, so defense will likely be the early focus as Hunter adjusts to the NFL-level of play.

Now, with those questions answered, the next question of his draft stock arises. While viewed as an elite player at both positions in college, he’s likely not viewed as the top draft prospect at either position, per Breer. Players like Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson have been trending ahead of Hunter at both positions in early draft board rankings.

What will this mean for Hunter’s draft stock? Does his potential to impact both sides of the ball raise his value as a draft prospect? Or do teams in need of a wide receiver or cornerback target players like McMillan or Johnson before Hunter? The Colorado athlete is likely guaranteed to hear his name on the first night of the draft, but the answers to the above questions will determine where exactly he falls in the first round and just how much money he’ll get on his rookie contract as a result.

This holiday season, festive decorations may be at risk of being ripped down by an surprising culprit.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has warned residents of the state that they are receiving large numbers of calls from people who have had deer getting their antlers tangled up in their Christmas decorations and other yard equipment.

While deer are usually rather clumsy creatures, they become much more erratic and aggression-prone at this time of year, as they are frantically searching for a mate.

“Our wildlife officers respond to calls every year of deer stuck in various netting and holiday decorations,” CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta said in a statement.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns residents that male deer may find themselves getting tangled up in swing sets, sports netting, hosepipes, Christmas lights and even bicycles during the rut season.

There are two main types of deer native to Colorado: mule deer and white-tailed deer. The rut of both species typically peaks in mid to late November and can extend into late December in some areas.

During the rut, bucks are highly active and display behaviors aimed at attracting does and establishing dominance over other males. This can include traveling extensively, often during daylight, and also engaging in sparring or even full-blown fights to establish dominance and breeding rights.

This activity is how the male deer end up getting tangled up in things like Christmas lights.

“In some cases, these hazards prevent the deer from being able to eat and breathe. Additionally, this causes high levels of stress on the animal and can lead to fatality,” Archuleta said.

The public is advised to ensure holiday decorations and lights are firmly attached to solid structures, and hung at least eight feet from the ground. Hanging the lights on trees or bushes is discouraged, as the deer often rub their antlers against plants or tree trunks to sharpen them during the rut.

If you encounter a deer that has become tangled or trapped, you should not attempt to free it yourself, as the deer are often increasingly aggressive at this time of year.

“When deer do become entangled, it is important for the public to call their closest CPW office quickly with location information,” Archuleta said.

“People should never try to free deer of these hazards themselves because of the serious risk of injury that can be caused by antlers and hooves.”

Additionally, deer can carry diseases such as chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and acidosis. This is why it is illegal to feed wild deer in Colorado.

“Attracting deer can concentrate them in small spaces, making disease easier to spread, attracting predators, and causing them to lose their natural fear of people,” the CPW warn on their website.

During the rut, deer may be seen on the roads more frequently, so drivers are also advised to keep an eye out.

“Drivers are also reminded to slow down and be on the lookout for deer on highways. Not only are bucks in pursuit of a mate, but animals are also migrating to winter range and will be more present crossing roadways both on highways and arterial roadways,” the CPW said in the statement.

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