NFL Fans Are Destroying Travis Hunter For His Bizarre Route-Running During Colorado’s Pro Day

Travis Hunter, the electrifying two-way star from the University of Colorado, is used to turning heads — but not like this. The NFL hopeful found himself at the center of a social media firestorm this week after footage of his performance at Colorado’s 2025 Pro Day went viral… for all the wrong reasons.

What Happened at Pro Day?

Pro Days are meant to showcase a player’s polished skills, athleticism, and readiness for the next level. For Travis Hunter, who’s been hailed as one of the most exciting talents in college football — a player who dominated both as a wide receiver and a cornerback — expectations were sky-high.

But when scouts and fans saw the tape, it wasn’t highlight-reel material. It was confusing.

Videos circulated showing Hunter running routes with odd footwork, inconsistent breaks, and what many labeled as “lazy” or “unrefined” execution. In one clip that drew particular criticism, Hunter appeared to drift through a comeback route with little urgency, then made a bizarre stutter-step before turning to receive the ball — which fell incomplete.

Social Media Backlash

NFL fans on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok were relentless. The criticism came fast and furious:

“Bro’s playing backyard football with NFL scouts watching. Unbelievable.”

“That’s not route-running. That’s route-wandering.”

“How are you gonna go from locking up WR1s to running routes like you’re lost in a parking lot?”

Some fans who once viewed Hunter as a surefire first-round pick are now calling for him to switch full-time to defense, citing his much stronger showing as a cornerback during the same session.

The Expert Reactions: “Raw, Not Ready”

While fans were quick to roast Hunter, some analysts took a more measured approach.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said:

“Travis Hunter is an athletic freak, no doubt. But the route-running today showed that he hasn’t put in the same technical work at receiver as he has on defense. Right now, he’s raw. He needs development if he’s going to play both ways at the next level.”

Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson chimed in via social media:

“He’s trying to be everything at once — that’s tough. I’d tell him to focus on one position and master it. The league don’t play with split focus.”

Supporters Step In

Despite the harsh criticism, not everyone is turning on the young star. Hunter’s fans — many of whom have followed his journey from his groundbreaking recruitment to Jackson State under Coach Prime — are still holding the faith.

One user on X defended him:

“Y’all clowning Travis like he ain’t been playing both sides of the ball for 100 snaps a game. He’ll be fine. He’s different, and y’all not ready for that.”

Coach Deion Sanders, never one to shy away from the spotlight, took to Instagram Live to back his star player.

“Travis is the best athlete in the country. What y’all saw was a bad rep, maybe two. But don’t let a couple of shaky routes define what this kid is capable of. He’s going first round. Period.”

What Does This Mean for the Draft?

Before Pro Day, some mock drafts had Travis Hunter landing as high as the top 10 — a rare spot for a player considered a hybrid. Now, scouts are reportedly reevaluating his position value.

If he sticks to defense, he could still be among the first corners taken. But the concerns about his receiving polish might drop his stock as a dual-threat weapon.

One NFC executive reportedly told Bleacher Report:

“We love the kid’s upside, but if I’m drafting in the first round, I want a clean projection. If he wants to be a WR in the league, he’s got work to do.”

What’s Next for Hunter?

Travis Hunter has always played the game his way — from flipping his commitment to follow Coach Prime to reinventing the corner/receiver hybrid mold.

But this Pro Day stumble might be the wake-up call he needs. With less than a month until the NFL Draft, he still has time to polish, recalibrate, and prove the doubters wrong.

Final Thoughts

Every young star has their moment of adversity. For Travis Hunter, this was his. Pro Day didn’t go the way anyone expected — and the NFL world let him know it.

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Hunter, it’s that he thrives under pressure. Whether he’s locking down WR1s or snagging deep touchdowns, he’s a baller — and one bad day won’t define him.

The draft spotlight is still on. And now, all eyes are watching to see how he answers .