Travis Hunter was expected by many to be heading to the Cleveland Browns on draft night, but the NFL had a surprise in store. The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bold move, trading up to the No. 2 overall pick and selecting the Colorado two-way star instead.
Known for excelling as both a wide receiver and a cornerback in college, Hunter has no plans to give up either position in the pros. In fact, he made it crystal clear that not letting him play both offense and defense could push him toward early retirement.
“If I’m not playing both ways, it’s not worth it,” Hunter said. “I’ve been doing it my whole life. I love being on the field and believe I can dominate no matter where I play.”
While the Jaguars are expected to use him mainly as a defensive back for now, Hunter’s comments show he’s deeply committed to being a two-position player. The NFL is far more demanding than college football, but Hunter says that challenge is exactly what motivates him.
Interestingly, Hunter missed the first day of rookie minicamp, but not because of injury or delay. He was actually in Boulder, Colorado, walking the stage at his college graduation ceremony. However, that moment wasn’t quite what it seemed. According to a university spokesperson, Hunter hasn’t officially graduated yet; he’s on track to finish in December 2025, but wanted to experience the ceremony before diving fully into his NFL career.
That emphasis on education isn’t just for show. Hunter sees earning his degree as a fallback option if football ever stops being his path. Still, with the way things are shaping up, it looks like football will treat him just fine.
Financially, he’s already making history. Hunter signed a massive rookie deal worth $46 million and received his full $30.57 million signing bonus all upfront, something unheard of for anyone who isn’t a quarterback or the No. 1 overall pick.
That signing bonus has reportedly bumped his total value up to $76 million, and he hasn’t even played a single down in the NFL yet.
So while there are still questions about whether Hunter can truly thrive on both sides of the ball at the highest level, one thing’s for sure: he’s already made a name for himself, and he’s not planning on stopping any time soon.