3 best fits for 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft
Travis Hunter is college football’s top player as he has proved all season long.
On Saturday night, the Colorado Buffaloes two-way star took home college football’s most coveted prize by being napped the 2024 Heisman Trophy for his outstanding play on both sides of the ball.
As one of the nation’s most dynamic players, Hunter proved to be a gamebreaker on both sides of the ball which has led to him also winning the Chuck Bednarik Award as college football’s top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football.
As Colorado’s No. 1 receiver, Hunter hauled in 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns while also serving as the team’s lockdown corner with 4 interceptions and 11 passes defensed. A two-way star at the college level, Hunter is one of the most exciting prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft and the Heisman just solidifies how dominant he was on both sides of the ball.
“Never thought I would be in this position”, Hunter said in accepting the award. “It’s crazy. Belief takes you a long way.”
In beating out players like Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami QB Cam Ward, Hunter can now set his eyes on becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
2025 NFL Draft: Travis Hunter receives high praise from an NFL legend
At the NFL level, Hunter will make an impact on either side of the ball. Depending on a team’s need, he may have to pick a position where he will play mostly. The best option will probably be as a defensive player who gets snaps within an offense.
Champ Bailey, an NFL legend at the cornerback position, knows how difficult it is to play two positions and feels he will have more success as a defender due to their being more structure.
“I think his greatest arc for finding success while trying to play both offense and defense is going full-time 100 percent at corner, and then getting some situational work at receiver,” Bailey said, per ESPN. “I hope he gets a chance to do whatever he wants.”
Whichever team drafts him will be pressed to use him as both a corner and receiver, but as Bailey pointed out, his skillset as a top corner may outweigh how a team uses him as a defender unless he goes to a team that already as a young No. 1 cornerback.
More 2025 NFL Draft coverage on Travis Hunter:
3 interesting NFL fits for Travis Hunter
Depending on who lands the No. 1 overall pick, Hunter will not be selected lower than No. 5. There will be a couple quarterback hungry teams at the top of the draft which could push the Heisman Trophy winner down a bit where there will be team’s selecting who could use his services on both sides of the ball. Here are three interesting fits for the two-way star.
Jacksonville Jaguars: If the Jags land the top selection in the draft, it will be a no-brainer to go with a player like Hunter, who will instantly become the face of the franchise. This is no shade to Trevor Lawrence, but Hunter’s tremendous playmaking as a defender is exactly what Jacksonville needs. Offensively, he can be a situational offensive threat for Lawrence who already has Brian Thomas Jr. emerging at the top wide receiver.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are suddenly a team not too desperate for a quarterback at the top of the draft. As another team in need of a top defensive back, Hunter instantly fills that role while also becoming an explosive option on the other side of the ball. With Carolina, Hunter could be more of an equal two-way threat because the team could use a top corner and No. 1 receiver.
New England Patriots: Hunter already seems intrigued by catching the ball from Drake Maye. This would be a situation where he could play more on offense while complimenting Christian Gonzalez on the other side of the ball. With the Patriots, the outstanding two-way star could be used more on offense given the team’s need for an explosive outside playmaker. On defense, he can be more of a No. 2. With less pressure on him as a defensive player, serving as a top receiver in New England adds to the intrigue of his best fit in the NFL.