Before stepping ͏onto an NFL field͏ ͏as a professional, No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter experienced a personal milestone that few top draft picks prioritize: college graduation. For Hunter, who has͏ captivated the football world with his rare͏ two-way ͏ability͏,͏ the moment marked more than a ceremonial achievement. It was the closing of͏ ͏one chapter and the bold ͏beginning of another.
Travis Hunter Reflects on Graduation and Dual Role Ambitions With Jaguars
Hunter, selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, returned to the University of Colorado to walk across the stage on Thursday, May 8. “It was a blessing to be the first person in my family to walk across the stage,” said Hunter.
GOT THAT DEGREE! pic.twitter.com/SUmPOPCZsh
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) May 8, 2025
His graduation attire caught attention, too: Jaguars pajama pants. “That’s the first thing I ordered off Amazon when I got drafted,” Hunter said, adding that he ordered them that night.
With a 3.7 or 3.9 GPA, a Heisman Trophy and a degree in anthropology, Hunter has already accomplished more than many of his peers. As former NFL tight end Nate Jackson put it: “How many Heisman Trophy winners have their degrees? This shows what a special young man Travis Hunter is.”
How many Heisman Trophy winners have their degrees? Shoot, how many NFL players have them? The answer is: not enough. This shows what a special young man Travis Hunter is. Something tells me this football thing is going to work out for him, but if not, he’ll be just fine. https://t.co/sM7v703d4a
— Nate Jackson (@NathanSerious) May 8, 2025
Despite the celebrations surrounding his graduation, Hunter’s mind was already focused on football. “I was thinking of getting back to work and coming back and playing football,” Hunter said.
That mindset reflects the expectations placed upon him, not just as a top pick but as a player ready to contribute in an unprecedented way on both offense and defense.
Hunter has already taken reps at wide receiver during rookie minicamp and said he has started integrating into the defensive playbook as well, signaling his commitment to becoming a true two-way player at the professional level.
“I’ve been already getting integrated into the defense,” Hunter said following rookie minicamp in May. “I’ve been doing offense and defense. These past two days, I just came out here and did offense.”
The ambition to play on both sides of the ball is nothing new for Hunter; it’s a challenge he has embraced for years, dating back to his college days.
“It’s not as complicated as people may think it is or may make it seem,” he told Yahoo Sports. “I just go in there and watch a lot of film [so] it’s kind of easy for me.”
Still, the process of learning two NFL playbooks simultaneously presents a unique set of challenges, even for a player as versatile as Hunter.
“You just have to get used to it,” Hunter said. “A lot of different types of calls, but other than that, the defense is pretty easy. You just have to get used to the offense.”
Hunter said the most difficult part of the adjustment has been the complexity of the play-calling. “Just longer calls and concepts are different,” he said.
The Jaguars appear to be easing him into this transition. As reported by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Hunter is expected to begin his NFL career focusing primarily on the wide receiver position, with his involvement on defense gradually expanding as the summer progresses. Hunter’s commitment to doing things the right way hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“The organization expects a lot out of me,” Hunter said. “They expect me to come out here and play right away. I’m going to do whatever it takes for me to play right away.”
Now, as he begins his journey with the Jaguars, Hunter’s eyes are set firmly on the future and both sides of the ball.
