Travis Hunter To Face Fellow Heisman Trophy Winner In NFL Debut With Jacksonville Jaguars

Former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter's NFL debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars will reportedly come against the Carolina Panthers.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Jaguars will open their 2025 regular season at home against the Panthers in Week 1. Hunter is currently expected to play both ways, meaning he'll be on the field alongside fellow former Heisman Trophy winner and third-year Carolina quarterback Bryce Young.

Last year, the Jaguars and Panthers won a combined nine games. Jacksonville selected Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft while Carolina chose former Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall. Hunter is plenty familiar with McMillan as the two met in each of the past two seasons, although Hunter left last year's matchup early due to injury.

Nov 11, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) tackles Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) in the second half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

When Hunter was healthy against McMillan in 2023, he recorded six total tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup in a narrow home loss to the Wildcats.

Earlier this year, McMillan was a guest on Hunter's podcast, "The Travis Hunter Show."

"They definitely don't give you enough credit, because you were definitely the toughest receiver I ever played," Hunter told McMillan on the podcast, "I always tell everybody that. Ask me, I'll be like, 'It's not no receiver that ever gave me problems,' but the toughest receiver I ever played against was you. You do everything. You got the speed, you got the hands, (the jump). Like you said, you're tough. You're not going to let nobody get you out of your game. Definitely the toughest I played against."

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It's unclear what role McMillan will play as a rookie, but he immediately becomes a talented offensive weapon to develop alongside Young. Last season, the former Alabama star threw for 2,403 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games started.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs a route 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

While Jacksonville and Carolina both have some talented young players, neither is expected to win many games in 2025. Still, Hunter's first NFL matchup against Young and McMillan will give fans a glimpse into the future.

Hunter will also face former Colorado teammate Jimmy Horn Jr., who landed with the Panthers in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

Hunter isn't the only former Buff who signed with Jacksonville last month. After going undrafted, safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and defensive end BJ Green II each signed a free-agent contract with the Jaguars and first-year coach Liam Coen, although both will have to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster.

"Travis is my lil bro," Silmon-Craig said, per News4JAX. "Ever since he came to Jackson, he was somebody I always kept around me, a phenomenal guy. It feels like a family here. I know it's a new everything around here so we're just trying to build a culture around here and change the culture, so why not get a couple Colorado guys?"

The NFL will release its complete 2025 regular season schedule at 6 p.m. MT on Wednesday.