Travis Hunter was widely expected to land with the Cleveland Browns on draft night. However, in a shocking turn of events, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded for the second overall pick and selected the Colorado standout.
While playing two positions is significantly more difficult at the pro level, Hunter is ready for the challenge. For now, he’s expected to see more action as a defensive back, but if he's not given the chance to play both ways, retirement could come sooner than expected.
“It's never playing football again,” Hunter said. “Because I've been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”
Hunter missed the first day of rookie minicamp due to graduation, but it turns out it was just an early celebration.
“What actually happened is a little more complicated. He is not scheduled to graduate until December after applying to graduate in fall 2025, according to an athletics department spokesman. He attended the May 8 graduation ceremony in Boulder anyway to be able to experience it now, before he begins his pro football career as the No. 2 overall draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to the school,” Brent Schrotenboer of USA Todaywrote.
Hunter values education and having a degree offers peace of mind if he ever decides to step away from the game. Meanwhile, he’s already made headlines financially—becoming the first non-quarterback and non-No. 1 overall pick to receive his full signing bonus upfront.
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“According to ESPN, the deal includes a $30.57 million signing bonus paid entirely upfront, making Hunter the first non-quarterback and non-No. 1 overall pick to get the entirety of the signing bonus upfront,” USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff wrote.
His total contract is worth $46 million, but the signing bonus pushes the deal to $76 million. There’s no doubt Hunter has the potential to shine in his rookie season, but he’s already scored big—before even taking a single snap for the Jaguars.