Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Hunter To Win Offensive And Defensive Rookie Of The Year?

In a panel of NFL analysts and reporters making bold predictions, former Colorado Buffaloes star now Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter was listed multiple times, one analyst insisting winning Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year was on the table.

Apr 25, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars first round draft pick Travis Hunter poses for a photo during a press conference at Miller Electric Center. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

Former Colorado Buffaloes superstar Travis Hunter took the practice field for the first time as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars during rookie minicamp on Friday afternoon. The No. 2 overall pick ran through drills and ran routes as he begins to get acclimated to life as a professional athlete. Hunter looked spry and explosive as usual. Although a low-intensity practice, the excitement is palpable.

Hunter is poised to have a monster rookie season, and the expectation of the being the former Heisman Trophy winner is something he’s not shying away from. Neither are the analysts and reporters that cover Hunter. In an ESPN panel where analysts and reporters were asked to make bold predictions, Hunter’s name was brought up multiple times with some lofty expectations. Hunter even received a vote for Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, center, throws up the Heisman pose to Tony Boselli, Executive Vice President of Football Operations, left, as Head Coach Liam Coen, right, laughs after a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. The team traded up from fifth to second after making a deal with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. The rookie was introduced with general | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter will finish in the top three of voting for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year. I want to say he'll win both, but that seems like a long shot even for him. I just love Hunter's abilities and want to get him into my predictions in some way,” said ESPN national reporter Dean Graziano.

“Hunter will score a touchdown at least three different ways: receiving, rushing, fumble recovery or on a gadget play pass,” ESPN betting analyst Pamela Maldonado said. “He won't be on defense full-time, but he'll manage to break the game open with pure versatility. The Jaguars will be smart with his usage, but they'll get creative simply because he's so dynamic.”

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While the predictions are fun and build excitement towards the season, the meat and potatoes of Hunter’s evaluation isn’t just the excitement, it’s the day-to-day consistency he brings both on and off the field.

Even as a rookie, Hunter is expected to be one of the leaders of the franchise and a player everyone can look to for a steadiness that makes them all better no matter the situation.

“I love the pick because I think he's so unique. We can talk about all the dazzling things he does on the field. He is a two-way superstar, a guy that can play at an All-Pro level on either side of the ball, but he has face-of-the-franchise qualities and characteristics. He is the type of guy you want to trot out there as the model citizen, the guy who can set the example for everyone who comes after him about how they approach their business,” said NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks in an exclusive interview with the Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, waves to people after a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The weight of expectation is nothing new for Hunter, and he’s once again in a position to carry a significant two-way load for a team that needs help rebuilding. So far, it’s been the story of Hunter’s career. If he can continue down the path he’s blazed for himself up until this point, we could be in the midst of one of the greatest football careers in recent memory.