Auburn legend Cam Newton delivered a blunt reality check to Travis Hunter during a recent episode of The Travis Hunter Show, offering insight from one Heisman winner to another.
Newton, who dominated during his lone season at Auburn with 2,854 passing yards, 1,473 rushing yards, and 50 total touchdowns, secured the 2010 Heisman Trophy before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Hunter dazzled on both sides of the ball this season, amassing 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, while tallying 36 tackles, a tackle for loss, and four interceptions on defense efforts that earned him the Heisman Trophy.
Despite Hunter’s undeniable talent and potential to go first overall, Newton wasn’t convinced that the Colorado star could influence the game the way a quarterback does.
“You could potentially be the first pick, but bro, you have no way of impacting the game like a quarterback does,” Newton stated. “You could lock down the number one receiver. You can make impact plays on offense all you want, but it’s still not a quarterback.”
Newton, whose NFL career spanned from 2011 to 2021 with stints on the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots, knows firsthand the value of the QB position. This year, the Tennessee Titans hold the coveted No. 1 pick after finishing the season 3-14, clinching the spot following a dramatic Week 18 scenario in which the New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-16.
If Hunter is selected first overall, he would become the highest-drafted Colorado player in history, surpassing running back Bo Matthews, who went No. 2 to the San Diego Chargers in 1974. All eyes will be on Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26, as the NFL Draft unfolds and Hunter’s future is decided.
