The University of Colorado’s Travis Hunter is one of the NFL’s most anticipated prospects coming out of the 2025 draft class. That’s why the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up three spots with the Cleveland Browns, giving up the 5th, 36th, 126th, and next year’s first-round pick to go get the two-way Heisman winner.
As the national number one recruit out of high school in 2021, Hunter has followed Coach Deion Sanders every step of the way, from Jackson State to Colorado, all while playing both sides of the ball, showing teams why he belonged on their roster.
Travis Hunter is a talented prospect with lots of potential, but with question marks surrounding what exactly his ceiling is, these are five reasons Hunter will be a bust and five reasons why he’s the league’s next superstar.
Is Travis Hunter going to be a bust or the NFL’s next superstar?
BUST: INJURY CONCERNS
The Jags should be concerned about the potential for serious injuries for a player who is expected to contribute both as a wide receiver and cornerback. Balancing dual roles on offense and defense can significantly increase the physical demands placed on Travis Hunter, exposing him to a higher likelihood of injury.
Great route-running receivers, like Hunter, are often involved in high-speed, explosive cuts and leaps, which can strain muscles and joints. On the other side, playing cornerback requires intense agility, reaction time, and the ability to absorb physical contact.
For Hunter, who played 1,548 snaps at Colorado in 2024, conditioning hasn’t been an issue yet, but time is undefeated. High-impact roles can lead to fatigue, making Hunter more vulnerable to injuries like sprains, strains, or even more serious ligament tears, especially as the season progresses and the wear and tear on his body accumulates. With Hunter playing both ways, it’s crucial to balance his development and health to prevent long-term setbacks.
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SUPERSTAR: CONDITIONING AND STAMINA
While Jacksonville should be concerned for Travis Hunter’s health, his ability to play so many snaps is a positive. Hunter rarely lost steam, even at the end of key games last season, while running up and down the field series after series.
Hunter has shown that he has elite conditioning and stamina. His ability to stay on the field for both offensive and defensive snaps gives the Jaguars a major advantage.
BUST: HIGH-PICK HYPE
While not common for a player of Hunter’s status, high first-round NFL draft picks who fail to meet expectations often struggle with the pressure of the professional game. Despite Hunter’s college success and physical tools, it’s possible that he may not be able to adapt to Jacksonville’s complex playbooks or off-field distractions.
These kinds of draft disappointments can set franchises back for years, especially when those picks were expected to be foundational players and, in the case of Hunter, when you traded so much to go up and get him. If Hunter follows in the footsteps of Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell, or Trent Richardson, the Travis Hunter trade could go down as one of the worst in league history.
SUPERSTAR: HIGH FOOTBALL IQ
Playing both wide receiver and cornerback at a high level requires exceptional football IQ, as each position demands a deep understanding of schemes, timing, and opponent tendencies. As a wide receiver, Hunter must read coverages on the fly, adjust routes based on defensive alignments, and master synced timing with the quarterback.
This involves more than just physical talent; it requires anticipation, spatial awareness, and a mental catalogue of coverage concepts and route combinations. A smart receiver knows when to sit in a zone, when to stretch the field, and how to manipulate defensive backs to create separation.
On the flip side, cornerback Hunter must diagnose offensive formations, recognize route trees, and anticipate the quarterback’s reads. Hunter is exceptional at being proactive, not reactive. He can predict and position himself to disrupt plays before they develop.
Excelling at both positions, Travis Hunter has mastered an understanding of the other side’s strategy, giving him a distinct advantage. A wide receiver who understands cornerback tendencies can exploit weaknesses, and a cornerback with receiver knowledge can jump routes with confidence.
BUST: ONLY PLAYED UNDER COACH PRIME
Since graduating from high school, Hunter has only played for the legendary Deion Sanders, a unique football mind who has created a culture and program unlike any other in college football. While Hunter proved he has the on-field talent working for Sanders, his skill set might not necessarily translate for first-year head coach Liam Coen.
The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator has yet to prove himself as the leading man for a franchise, especially with a rookie Heisman winner at the offensive helm. Coen will have to manage Hunter’s talent paired with second-year LSU standout Brian Thomas Jr., all while keeping the peace and making sure each guy gets his fair share of targets. Time will tell if Hunter’s development will be affected by playing for someone other than Primetime.
SUPERSTAR: HEISMAN WINNER
The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, recognizing exceptional performance, leadership, and impact on the game. Travis Hunter joined the NCAA’s most exclusive club when he was awarded the Heisman following the 2024 season and his “He12sman” campaign.
Winning the Heisman requires elite athletic ability, consistent dominance throughout the season, and the ability to elevate one’s team in high-pressure moments. Winning the Heisman not only cements a player’s place in football history but often boosts their path to a successful professional career. Whether the same is true for Hunter has yet to be seen.
BUST: CAN HE WORK WITH TREVOR LAWRENCE?
Travis Hunter’s exceptional two-way ability could prove to be a strain for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Hunter’s stamina and scheme fit could limit his offensive availability for Lawrence, who needs consistent targets to improve his 60.6% completion rate from 2024.
Lawrence’s injury-plagued 2024 season, where he missed seven games and posted a career-low 2,045 passing yards, is evidence that he needs a reliable, full-time receiver, whereas Hunter’s dual role may split his focus and reduce his offensive impact. The Jaguars’ offense ranked 24th in passing yards last season, and Lawrence’s 3.36-second average time before passing on deep throws indicates a need for receivers who can quickly separate, but Hunter’s scouting reports note he requires work on route discipline, potentially leading to mismatches in timing.
Hunter’s projected transition period at wide receiver, due to his unpolished route-running, could hinder Lawrence’s ability to build chemistry with him, especially given Lawrence’s seven interceptions in 10 starts last season. The Jaguars’ new offensive scheme under Coach Liam Coen emphasizes a stronger run game, which may reduce passing opportunities for Lawrence to exploit Hunter’s big-play potential. The Jaguars’ plan is to primarily use Hunter as a receiver, but also practice him at cornerback, which could disrupt Lawrence’s rhythm.
SUPERSTAR: WILL ONLY GET BETTER WITH TIME
While Travis Hunter enters the NFL as a highly touted rookie and likely WR2 on the Jags’ depth chart, the 21-year-old superstar is far from reaching his peak in the league. Like a fine wine, Hunter will only get better with age as he has time to hone his craft and adjust to the style and speed of play at the NFL level.
Hunter has positioned himself to have a long career as long as he continues to improve as he’s done every year since joining Jackson State in 2022.
BUST: CAN’T RUN BLOCK
At 188 pounds, Hunter’s light frame makes him virtually non-existent in the run-blocking game. While his skillset may not call for him to run block, there are sure to be scenarios in which he will be required to run block for the Jacksonville packfield. Coach Liam Coen is a run-heavy coach. Preparing the slight Travis Hunter to take big hits and block effectively will be important to the young two-way star’s development.
If the Jaguars don’t develop Hunter as a run blocker and he isn’t on the field with one or two running backs in the backfield, opposing defenses will have the advantage with Jacksonville tipping their hat.
SUPERSTAR: THE SHOHEI OHTANI OF FOOTBALL
Many pundits and analysts refer to Hunter as football’s Shohei Ohtani because what he’s able to do on both sides of the ball is unprecedented. In his 2024 campaign in Colorado, Hunter caught 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, plus four interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense in 13 games.
That kind of production is next-level, and it’s the reason Jacksonville gave up a king’s ransom to bring the college superstar to town. Whether he amounts to the Ohtani equivalent, we will see.
