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With Travis Hunter now in the NFL, college football has a new two-way star.
Vanderbilt’s Martel Hight will attempt to play offense and defense this fall in addition to having a role on special teams as a returner. Hight confirmed that news while speaking with reporters at SEC Media Days in Atlanta on Monday evening.
Hight said seeing Hunter play both ways en route to the Heisman Trophy inspired him to ask Clark Lea about attempting it as well.
“I didn’t think it was actually possible to actually do it because of rules, but once I seen Travis do it, I was like, hey, Coach, let me do that,” Hight said. “And he kind of gave me the shot at it. We’ll see how it plays out.”
Hight also said he played against Hunter in high school. The Vanderbilt star attended Rome High School (Ga.) while Hunter played at Collins Hill (Ga.).
The connections don’t stop there. According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Vanderbilt assistant Jerry Kill has talked with Deion Sanders about how Colorado managed Hunter’s workload.
Good luck in keeping up with Vanderbilt's Martel Hight this season. He's going to play CB, WR and return punts. Clark Lea said senior offensive advisor Jerry Kill has already talked with Deion Sanders to get some ideas on how the Buffaloes managed Travis Hunter last year.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) July 14, 2025
Hight has primarily been a defensive back to this point in his college career. Through 2 seasons with Vandy, he has 71 tackles, 3 interceptions and 5 pass deflections. He also earned second-team All-SEC honors as a return specialist last season after he led the conference with 14.7 yards per punt return.
Spenser Davis
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
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