Patriots, Jaguars top landing spots

On By Littum

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For the first time since 1997, a defensive back won the Heisman Trophy. Colorado buffalo cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter won college football’s most prestigious award for his outstanding play this season.

Hunter was Colorado’s first Heisman finalist since Rashaan Salaam in 1994 as a power-hitting two-way player for Buffaloes this autumn. He leads the Big 12 in passes defensed as well as receptions and receiving touchdowns. That remarkable skill set helped Colorado to its first nine-win season since 2016.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the class. Here’s what you need to know about the Heisman winner and his potential NFL landing spots.

USA TODAY Sports All-Americans: Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty leadership team

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Travis Hunter scouting report

If Hunter was a wide receiver on his own, he would arguably be the best prospect at the position in this class. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Hunter has ideal length and top-end acceleration that jumps off the tape immediately. His ball skills are elite and that is a huge asset on both sides of the ball.

Despite playing both offense and defense this fall, Hunter doesn’t seem to tire during a game. He remains a solid tackler from the cornerback position and maintains the long speed to be an outside threat at wide receiver.

Hunter is not limited physically to man-to-man coverage. He can play in any system defensively with some of the best ball skills at the position from a prospect in years.

It’s hard to find anything to criticize in his game. His frame is a little lean now, but he can put on more weight at the next level to hold up better in press coverage. He’s quick, but may not be the best at covering slot receivers and could use improved technique in coverage overall instead of relying on his athleticism. But these are small bumps in an incredible traction profile.

Hunter could be a Pro Bowl caliber player at either wide receiver or cornerback. He will be an upgrade on both sides of the ball wherever he goes.

Who should draft Travis Hunter?

Hunter shouldn’t fall outside of the top three picks at worst come draft night. Whichever team has a high pick and is settled on the quarterback position will be happy to take Hunter.

Travis Hunter’s best NFL fit

Hunter is one of the few immediate impact prospects in the class and doesn’t need to sit to get up to speed. He would likely be best on a team that could use help at both wide receiver and cornerback and allow him to fully embrace his game-changing potential.

  • New England Patriots: Drake Maye is set as the quarterback of the future. Now he needs better weapons than Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Hunter Henry and Kayshon Boutte. Hunter would immediately be the team’s best pass catcher and would fit well in the secondary opposite 2023 top pick Christian Gonzalez.
  • Jacksonville Jaguars: Like New England, Jacksonville will have a high pick but no reason to take a quarterback. Jaguars have 2024 top pick Brian Thomas Jr. as a deep threat on the outside on offense. Hunter would be more needed on defense for the Jaguars who rank last in NFL in expected points added per passport (EPA/passed). For context, the distance from 32nd-ranked Jacksonville to 31st-ranked Atlanta is greater than the distance from Atlanta to 18th-ranked Cleveland. Ronald Darby isn’t stopping Hunter from cracking the starting lineup.
  • Tennessee Titans: The Titans will likely pick near the top five and could select Will Levis or a free agent at quarterback next season. In either case, they need help at wide receiver. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has played well recently, but he and Calvin Ridley are far from ideal outside weapons. Hunter would be an upgrade there and could also work at cornerback, where the Titans have relied on Darrell Baker Jr., Roger McCreary and rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. this season.
  • New York Jets: There is a glut of three-win teams from pick No. 3 to no. 8 at the top of the draft order going into Week 15. The Jets still have games against the Rams and Bills on their schedule to close out the year, so they could end up at No. 3. They could use Hunter’s talents on both sides of the ball. On offense, he could work on the outside opposite Garrett Wilson. On defense, he would help ease the potential loss of cornerback DJ Reed in free agency.

Travis Hunter stats

Hunter has been the best two-way player in recent college football history. Here are his regular season stats:

  • Receptions: 92
  • Receiving yards: 1,152
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 14
  • rush: 2
  • Rushing yards: 5
  • Rushing touchdowns: 1
  • Tackles: 32 (one for loss)
  • Wiretaps: 4
  • Passes defended: 11
  • Forced fumbling: 1