Travis Hunter’s Transition to the NFL

Travis Hunter, an exceptional two-way player who snagged the Heisman Trophy during his college career, is now making his way into the NFL. This shift, however, presents a different set of challenges. Travis Kelce has noted that the team is likely to target the rookie from Jacksonville.

On a recent episode of the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, the Chiefs tight end discussed Hunter’s dual role as both a wide receiver and cornerback. While he wasn’t entirely sure how the Jaguars would divide Hunter’s playing time, Kelce was certain the opposing team would look to exploit Hunter’s position as a cornerback.

“The team is going to chase him,” Kelce remarked. He added that they would aim to make Hunter’s experience tough by having wide receivers wear him down with deep runs. “If he plays corner, they’ll just have him running the deep ball all day. Why not attack him like that?” he questioned.

Last season, Hunter emerged as the top player in Division I with impressive stats, including 96 receptions and 13 touchdowns.

The Jaguars intend to utilize Hunter as a two-way player, at least initially. During a recent appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show,” Jacksonville’s Chief Football Strategy Officer, Tony Khan, expressed enthusiasm about integrating Hunter into the team after selecting him as the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Khan highlighted that, according to General Manager James Gladstone, Hunter has the potential to be a game-changer on both offense and defense. “We have a solid plan to incorporate him,” Khan stated. He emphasized that this is a unique opportunity, particularly given Hunter’s draft positioning.