Buffs Beat

Travis Hunter Claims Fitting New Nickname At Jacksonville Jaguars Training Camp

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie two-way star Travis Hunter is off to an electric start in his first NFL training camp. Now, the former Colorado Buffaloes phenom has officially declared his new nickname.
Ben Armendariz|
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) smiles as he walks off the field after an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) smiles as he walks off the field after an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Colorado BuffaloesJacksonville Jaguars

Just days into his first NFL training camp, Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is already doing what few believed possible at the next level.

Whether he's locking down receivers or making highlight-reel grabs, the former Colorado Buffaloes star is already proving that his two-way dominance in college was no fluke.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) catches a pass during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electr
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) catches a pass during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Early training camp footage shows Hunter flying around on both sides of the ball with the same energy, skill, and competitive edge that defined his time in Boulder. What some once questioned as unrealistic, they are now seeing firsthand the rare versatility Hunter carries.

After another impressive practice today, CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco caught up with Hunter for a lighthearted moment.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) is interviewed by CBS Sports after an NFL training camp session at the
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) is interviewed by CBS Sports after an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“We’ve gotta come up with a nickname for you,” Prisco told Hunter. “Because nobody does what you do. What would it be?”

Hunter, with a smile, didn’t hesitate: “It’s the unicorn.”

It’s a fitting name for a player whose combination of talent, stamina, and skill is as rare as it gets. Hunter’s ability to contribute at a high level on both sides of the ball does make him an NFL unicorn.

Jacksonville offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has already been impressed with Hunter’s elite conditioning, saying the rookie’s endurance is unlike anything he’s seen before. “I don’t know that I’ve seen anything with that level of conditioning,” Udinski said.

“Obviously, he’s expected to do something that none of us have seen before, but it’s once again a testament to his work and training, in the heat, in the summer. I mean, it is hot. No joke, there are guys out here struggling to do one, and he’s doing multiple things.”

For Hunter, his edge isn’t just physical. When Prisco asked how he’s able to handle the demands of playing both ways, Hunter pointed to what’s going on underneath the helmet.

“It’s just my mental,” he told Prisco. “You’ve gotta have the right mindset going into it. You’ve gotta have the right knowledge to understand what you’re doing, where you’re going out there. You gotta understand how to take care of your body, too.”

MORE: Deion Sanders Gives Positive Update On Health Issues At Big 12 Media Days

MORE: Deion Sanders Shares Truth About Colorado Buffaloes After Losing Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter

MORE: Deion Sanders Wants Salary Cap In College Football, Transfer Portal Investigations, NFL Rules

That mindset Hunter developed under the tutelage of coach Deion Sanders clearly carried over from Boulder to Jacksonville. One day, Hunter’s deflecting passes with the first-team defense. The next, he’s lining up with the receivers and putting cornerbacks on skates.

That impact has made an early impression on teammates. Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus said having Hunter on the field, regardless of position, makes a difference. “Man, it’s cool to see, honestly,” Cephus said.

“You don’t see that, and he’s good, so you gotta respect what he does. And then the energy that he brings on both sides of the ball is crazy. Him being next to me is crazy, just the greatness that he brings to the room, it’s been amazing.”

Many fans and analysts have speculated whether Hunter will be able to handle more than one position at the top level. But after his first week of camp, doubts about his ability to hold down two positions at the NFL level are quickly fading.

As training camp shifts into the next gear and the regular season draws near, one thing is already certain—Travis Hunter is no ordinary rookie.

In 2025, he will attempt something never done in the modern NFL, and now he has the perfect nickname to match.

Published
Ben Armendariz
BEN ARMENDARIZ

Ben Armendariz is a reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI, part of the Sports Illustrated Network. While earning his bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Sports Media from the University of Colorado, he contributed to Buffs coverage through CUBuffs.com and Sko Buff Sports. He’s also covered professional combat sports as a contributor for FloCombat. A lifelong sports fan, Ben is now pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Texas A&M University, with plans to build a long-term career in sports media. His passion for storytelling, in-depth analysis, and unique perspectives on sports marketing and sponsorships set his work apart. Outside of reporting and school, he enjoys attending Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets games and running his online vintage retail business.

Home/Football