NFL Scout Makes Shocking Olympic Flag Football Selection

NFL players are heading to the Olympics.

At least, players across the league will have the chance to try out for their home country’s flag football team in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. While only only player from each team is eligible to make the team, which has the chance to grow the sport on the international stage.

Would Travis Hunter be The Ideal Flag Football Player?

To get a sense for who might ultimately wind up in the starting five for the United States Olympic team, I asked one current NFL Executive, one current NFL Coach, and one current NFL scout which player would be their first selection. The scout’s choice surprised me.

“I’m going with Travis Hunter,” the scout told me shortly after it was announced league owners approved the plan to send players to the Olympics. “Because he can play both ways.”

Hunter, chosen No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft has yet to play a down for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but this veteran evaluator clearly is enamored by the former Heisman Trophy winner’s versatility, speed, explosiveness, and ball skills, to make him his cornerstone selection for the flag football team in the Olympics.

Last season at Colorado, Hunter caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns, but might be even better suited to play cornerback–especially at flag football, after pulling down four interceptions, averaging 16.3 yards per return, while breaking up 11 more passes.

Whether Hunter trys out and ultimately makes the flag football team remains to be seen, but his skill set could translate nicely, as the scout suggests.

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