College football has long been a breeding ground for exceptional athletes, but few have had the glory of being 2-way college football players. These versatile stars have captivated fans and scouts alike, sometimes adding confusion to which position they would play full-time at the Pro level.
Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey’s exceptional abilities as a cornerback were evident from his freshman year at the University of Georgia. His shutdown capabilities made him a formidable opponent for any receiver. Bailey’s defensive prowess culminated in his junior year when he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player. His remarkable skills included registering 52 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes deflected in his final season.
While Bailey was, and is, renowned for his defensive skills, his offensive contributions were equally impressive. As a sophomore, he caught 12 passes for 234 yards. His junior year saw a significant increase in production, with 47 receptions for 744 yards and five touchdowns. Bailey’s impact extended to special teams, impacting the game in all three phases. He returned 12 kickoffs for 261 yards and four punts for 49 yards in his final season. His all-around abilities were on full display in the Peach Bowl against Virginia, where he contributed in multiple facets of the game, including a 14-yard touchdown reception and 104 yards on kickoff returns.
Charles Woodson
Before being known as a HOF defensive back, Charles Woodson’s showed his skills early in his freshman year at Michigan. He became a starter after just his second game and played in 34 consecutive thereafter. He led Michigan with five interceptions and eight takeaways as a freshman, including two crucial interceptions in a victory against Ohio State. His junior year, he added seven interceptions, including a spectacular one-handed sideline catch against Michigan State.
However, it was Woodson’s input on the offensive side of the ball that made him a college legend. He caught 12 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns during his Heisman-winning season. His offensive contributions were often game-changing, including a 37-yard reception against Ohio State that led to a crucial touchdown. Woodson’s 1997 junior season is one of the best individual seasons in CFB history. He led Michigan to an undefeated season and a share of the national championship.
Woodson’s Heisman Trophy made him the first primarily-defensive player to win the prestigious award. He also took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award, cementing his status as one of the greatest 2-way college football players in history.
Shaq Thompson
One of the most unique athletic specimens to play at the University of Washington. Playing multiple defensive positions, including safety, slot corner, and linebacker, were not all the tricks up Thompson’s sleeve. Thompson’s athleticism and football IQ allowed him to excel in various roles, making him a nightmare for opposing offenses to game-plan against.
Despite being primarily known for his play on defense, Thompson contributed on offense as well. As a running back, he averaged 7.5 yards per carry. His ability to break tackles and make big plays in the open field added another dimension to Washington’s offense. In 2014, he captured the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile player. His exceptional performance included scoring six touchdowns, with two as a running back and four on defense.
Myles Jack
Although he was a true linebacker at heart, Myles Jack in college additions elsewhere were fun to watch. As a true freshman in 2013, Jack started 12 games at linebacker, recording 75 tackles, the second-most ever by a UCLA freshman. He led the team in passes defended and made a game-ending interception against Utah.
Despite his success on defense, Jack’s offensive contributions showcased the true baller he was. In his first game as a running back against Arizona, he carried the ball six times for 120 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown run. The following week against Washington, Jack scored four touchdowns on 13 carries, earning him the nickname “The Runningbacker” from his teammates. Jack’s versatility earned him unprecedented recognition as both the Pac-12’s Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year. His ability to excel on both sides of the ball made him a nightmare for opposing teams to game-plan against.
Jabrill Peppers
Peppers made waves on the internet making explosive plays in all three phases in high school. This trend continued at the University of Michigan, where he was one of the most famous college players of the 2010’s. Highlighted for playing multiple defensive positions in college, including safety, linebacker, and cornerback, Peppers’ versatility earned him the Paul Hornung Award, honoring the nation’s most versatile college football player.
His defensive skills were on full display during his junior year when he recorded 72 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, and four sacks, earning him unanimous All-American honors and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
On offense, he rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. His explosive speed and agility made him a threat whenever he touched the ball. Peppers’ showed his skills with the ball in hands most on special teams. He excelled as both a kick and punt returner, averaging 13.1 yards per punt return and 26.8 yards per kickoff return.
Chris Gamble
One of Ohio State’s best players of the early 2000’s. His natural talent for reading plays was seen early in his first defensive action against Cincinnati, where he intercepted a pass in the end zone. He went on to record seven interceptions in just 27 games as a cornerback at OSU.
What made Gamble so important was how much he contributed on offense. He was the second-leading receiver during the 2002 season, catching 31 passes for 499 yards. His most memorable reception came in the national championship game against Miami, where he made a crucial 57-yard catch that set up a field goal. He played a pivotal role in the Buckeyes’ 2002 national championship run. In the Fiesta Bowl against Miami, Gamble participated in an astounding 119 of 170 plays, showcasing his endurance and versatility. He also had the challenge to cover future NFL star Andre Johnson, limiting the receiver to just four catches for 54 yards.
Adoree Jackson
Jackson was a part of some of the most fun USC teams of the post-Pete Carroll eras. The most notable game being the Rose Bowl in January 2017. That season Adoree showed his abilities as a cornerback and a threat as a ball carrier. His skills on defense were shown his freshman year, where he recorded 49 tackles, 10 deflections, and a forced fumble. Jackson continued to improve throughout his college career, culminating in winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back in 2016.
As a ball carrier, Jackson’s explosive speed and agility made him a constant threat on offense and special teams. Whether being a jet motion receiver, running back, or return specialist. Jackson’s ability to break tackles and make big plays in the open field added another dimension to USC’s offense. At Southern Cal he caught 39 passes for 628 yards and six touchdowns. The rare production he had on offense still gave nightmares for opposing defenses facing what was an already explosive offense. He also added 79 kickoff returns for 2,141 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 46 punt returns for 578 yards and four touchdowns.
Travis Hunter
Questions are already being raised about where Travis Hunter will be most impactful when he is inevitably drafted. Hunter’s exceptional 2-way skills have made him one of the faces of college football in 2024. His innate ability to play both sides of the ball full time is what makes his situation unique. Colorado is not the same level as the programs the previous players got to play. Making Hunter’s skills required for even a chance to win against Power 5 programs.
Hunter’s ball skills are remarkable, allowing him to make game-changing turnovers and pass breakups. Even early in the 2024 season, he made the game-winning defensive play to force a fumble against Baylor. They also don’t have a chance if he wasn’t catching touchdowns from Shedeur Sanders. As a wide receiver, Hunter has demonstrated his freak like abilities and sure hands. His big play agility make him a constant threat on offense, capable of breaking big plays at any moment. In his first season with Colorado, Hunter hauled in 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, despite missing time with a rib injury.
Hunter’s ability to impact games on both sides of the ball will have offensive and defensive coordinators fighting for his services after he goes pro. This is a situation where he can be a little more forceful in pre-draft interviews with his preference to play both ways. Although many scouts and analyst will try to box him in at one position, fans hope to see him given the opportunity to continue this play style at the next level.
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