Green Bay, WI – April 25, 2025 – The family of Travis Hunter, the two-way star picked No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, expressed profound disappointment, fearing his talent will be squandered, sources told The Athletic.
Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, racked up 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions at Colorado. His family hoped he’d join a contender like the Eagles, but the Jaguars’ 4-13 record sparked doubts, a relative told ESPN.
Jaguars traded picks 5, 36, 126, and a 2026 first-rounder to the Browns for Hunter, per Adam Schefter. GM James Gladstone hailed him as a “game-changer,” but family fears he’ll be limited to WR, sidelining his CB skills.
“Travis is one-of-a-kind,” his father, Travis Sr., said at the draft, permitted to attend via a Florida court waiver. “Jaguars must use him right, or his talent’s wasted.” The family wants him playing both ways.
Hunter, 21, remains defiant: “I’ll prove them wrong.” Yet, Jaguars, led by coach Liam Coen, plan to focus him as a WR alongside Brian Thomas Jr., using CB sparingly in sub-packages, raising workload concerns.
The Eagles, Super Bowl LIX champs, eyed Hunter before drafting Jihaad Campbell at No. 31. Philly fans, from A.J. Brown’s car-theft saga to Grant Calcaterra’s drama, lament missing this “unicorn,” per @PhillyFaithful.
Jaguars’ offense (22nd, 326 yards/game) and defense (28th, 33.5 points/game) need a boost. “They’re not ready for Travis,” a relative said. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah warned: “Hunter needs the right system.”
With $45 million cap space, Jacksonville bets on Hunter. But as the draft rolls on, his family’s dismay fuels debate: Can the Jaguars unlock his dual-threat brilliance, or will Jalen Hurts’ Alabama spirit outshine him?
