Jaguars Rookie Travis Hunter Given New Nickname During Training Camp
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
When the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted former Colorado Buffaloes standout Travis Hunter, they likely planned to make him a focal point of both their offense and defense.
Hunter starred in Boulder as a wide receiver and cornerback, and his strong two-way play won him the Heisman Trophy last season after finishing the year with 96 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns in addition to 36 tackles, 11 passes defensed, four interceptions, a forced fumble, with a 56.1 completion percentage allowed and a 39.9 passer rating against, per Pro Football Focus.
Drafted as a receiver and cornerback, Hunter has been taking snaps on both offense and defense during OTAs, minicamp, and now training camp.
And while the Jaguars have stated they plan to let Hunter play on both sides of the ball even as a rookie, many analysts believe he's best suited to make the biggest impact in the NFL as a defensive back.
Travis Hunter #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars practices during Training Camp at Miller Electric Center on July 24, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Travis Hunter #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars practices during Training Camp at Miller Electric Center on July 24, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida.More NFL: Bills QB Josh Allen Hits Breaking Point With Patrick Mahomes Question
"I know everyone wants to see Travis Hunter play both ways full-time but I'm telling you now - he may end up making a bigger impact as a CB in Year 1," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein recently wrote. "His ball skills and instincts are off-the-charts. Once the ball goes up, it's WR vs. WR and not WR vs. CB."
Though quarterback Cam Ward went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, Hunter may just be the most-hyped rookie from the 2025 draft class.
Because of the uniqueness of Hunter's situation, many have tried to come up with a nickname for him given what he's attempting to do is nearly unprecedented in the NFL. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco asked Hunter what his nickname should be Tuesday at training camp, to which Hunter knew exactly what he wanted it to be.
Travis Hunter has given himself a nickname at Jags training camp 🦄@PriscoCBS pic.twitter.com/ARfaMAu1XG — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) July 29, 2025
More NFL: Jon Gruden Says This NFL QB Reminds Him of Joe Montana
"We've got to come up with a nickname for you because nobody does what you do," Prisco declared. "What will it be?"
"It's the unicorn," Hunter confidently stated. "I'm going to try [to get posters made] and see what I can do."
"I like it; I like the unicorn," Prisco replied. "I call you the machine though because you play all those plays."
Two-way players have traditionally been a rarity in the NFL — William Perry (defensive tackle/fullback), Troy Brown (WR/CB), Mike Vrabel (linebacker/tight end) — but the silver lining for Hunter is arguably the most successful ones — Deion Sanders and Devin Hester — both played the two positions Hunter does.
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