Buffs Beat

NFL Schedule Release: Examining Travis Hunter's Biggest Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie Season Matchups

Former Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter's rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars is filled with big-time matchups, including a game against the Denver Broncos. The NFL released its complete 2025 regular season schedule on Wednesday evening.
Jack Carlough|
May 10, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) during rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
May 10, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) during rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

In this story:

Colorado BuffaloesJacksonville Jaguars

Colorado Buffaloes fans will keep close tabs on the Jacksonville Jaguars this fall as three former Buffs signed with first-year coach Liam Coen's squad last month, including Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Travis Hunter.

The NFL released its complete 2025 regular season schedule on Wednesday, and Hunter's rookie season in Duval County will feature no shortage of intriguing matchups. Perhaps most notably, the talented wide receiver/cornerback will return to Colorado on Dec. 21 when the Jaguars visit the Denver Broncos.

Safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and defensive end BJ Green II also joined the Jaguars as undrafted free agents. The two former Buffs have a big summer and preseason ahead as they fight for a spot on Jacksonville's 53-man roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) talks to members of the media during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electr
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) talks to members of the media during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Including a mid-December trip to Denver, check out Hunter's most notable rookie season games:

Carolina Panthers (Sunday, Sept. 7 at Everbank Stadium)

Kickoff: 11 a.m. MT on Fox

Hunter's highly anticipated NFL debut will come on Sept. 7 when the Jaguars host the Carolina Panthers. If that wasn't a big enough storyline, Hunter will also face a familiar wide receiver in former Arizona Wildcats star Tetairoa McMillan and a fellow Heisman Trophy winner in Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.

Carolina and Jacksonville won only nine combined games last season but Hunter's professional debut should draw plenty of eyeballs.

Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, Oct. 6 at Everbank Stadium)

Kickoff: 6:15 p.m. MT on ESPN

The defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs will visit Jacksonville in early October for Hunter's first career prime time game. While Hunter experienced plenty of big-time games on national television during his two seasons with the Buffs, facing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes under the lights is an entirely new challenge. Still, this should be a great barometer game for Hunter early in his rookie season.

MORE: Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel Quarterback Competition Dividing Cleveland Browns Fans?

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes' Julian Lewis Reacts To 5-Star Recruit Cederian Morgan's Visit

MORE: Travis Kelce Addresses 'Swag Champ' Shedeur Sanders: Cleveland Browns Quarterback

Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Oct. 19 at Wembley Stadium)

Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. MT on NFL Network

As they typically have in recent years, the Jaguars will play an international game next season. NFL fans in London will get their first in-person look at Hunter on Oct. 19 when the Jaguars face the Rams, who reached the NFC Divisional Round last season.

Denver Broncos (Sunday, Dec. 21 at Empower Field at Mile High)

Kickoff: 2:05 p.m. MT on Fox

Hunter spent the past two years in Boulder and once even shared his desire to stay in Colorado and play for the Denver Broncos. That didn't happen due to the Broncos' spot in the draft, but Hunter soon will return to the Front Range for a late-season matchup with the Broncos.

Not to get too far ahead, but first-round College Football Playoff games are scheduled for Dec. 19-20, meaning the Buffs could have a massive home game while Hunter is in town.

Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after a penalty is called duri
Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after a penalty is called during the second quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Preseason Games

Also announced Wednesday, the Jaguars will face the Pittsburgh Steelers (Aug. 9), New Orleans Saints (Aug. 17) and Miami Dolphins (TBA) during the preseason.

Published
Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

Home/Football