NFL’s notable two-way players throughout history: Travis Hunter to join the club

In the NFL, it’s rare to see a player perform at two different positions, but it does happen. However, a player excelling at an offensive position and defensive position is even rarer.

As the NFL Combine kicks off this week, excitement is building as Heisman winner and two-way phenomenon Travis Hunter gets ready to perform drills at both the wide receiver and cornerback position. If he’s able to continue playing at a high level at both positions in the big league, then he’ll join a rare group of NFL players who’ve done so. Let’s take a look at some of the others.

NFL’s dual threats throughout history

Deion Sanders - Cornerback and Wide Receiver

It’s only fitting that we start with Prime Time, who happened to play the same two positions as Hunter, who happens to have been his protege at Colorado, where Deion Sanders is now head coach. Sanders was primarily a CB in the NFL, earning eight Pro Bowl nods and six First-Team All-Pros. As a receiver, he saw the most action in 1996, when he played for the Dallas Cowboys, recording 36 receptions. He was named to the 1990s All-Decade team as both a cornerback and punt returner. This could very well be quite similar to what Hunter’s future will look like.

Troy Brown - Wide Receiver and Cornerback

Troy Brown was actually a triple-threat, making plays on offense, defense, and special teams. The former New England Patriot’s primary role was as a receiver, recording 557 receptions for 6,366 yards and 31 touchdowns in his 15-year career.

However, he filled in at cornerback for several years under Bill Belichick. He recorded 39 tackles, five pass breakups, and three interceptions. In 2004, when the Patriots were on their way to their third Super Bowl win in four years, Brown led the team with three interceptions, plus 17 catches, a receiving touchdown, five passes defended and two fumble recoveries. On special teams, he recorded 2,625 punt return yards and three punt return touchdowns.

Mike Vrabel - Linebacker and Tight End/Fullback

Mike Vrabel played primarily as a linebacker, but when he left the Pittsburgh Steelers to play for the New England Patriots, he joined teammate Troy Brown as a dual threat player. In 206 games, he put up 57 sacks, 41 passes defended, and one pick six.

On offense, he was a menace in the red zone, collecting 10 receptions for 14 yards and 10 touchdowns from 2002-2010. Throughout his career, he scored 11 offensive touchdowns.

William Perry, Defensive Tackle and Fullback

William Perry was mostly a defensive tackle when he played for the Chicago Bears from 1985 to 1993, but in his rookie season, he would line up at fullback at the goal line. In Super Bowl XX, the 335-pound player scored a rushing touchdown for the Bears. “The Refrigerator”, as he was called, recorded 39.5 sacks and more than 500 total tackles in his 10-year career, while putting up eight carries for five yards and two touchdowns on offense.

Patrick Ricard - Fullback and Defensive Tackle

Patrick Ricard is currently a fullback for the Baltimore Ravens, but when he joined the team in 2017, he’d only played as a defensive tackle at Maine. After joining the Ravens, however, he was immediately utilized on both sides of the ball. Now, he’s an outstanding fullback who’s earned four Pro Bowl nods and a second-team All-Pro nod. On defense, he’s recorded one sack and 19 total tackles.

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