Travis Hunter's surprising net worth, fiancée's Heisman drama, unusual NFL Draft request

Irish Daily Star

23-04-2025

Travis Hunter will enter the NFL Draft as a Heisman Trophy holder and a potential top-five pick - and
he has issued an interesting demand
for whoever drafts him.
Hunter
was a top performer in his final Division I season, after an outstanding college career with stints at both Jackson State Tigers and Colorado Buffaloes.
He put up career-high numbers in 2024, with 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in just one season. But this wide receiver didn't just shine on offense; he also turned heads playing cornerback, grabbing four interceptions and one forced fumble in his time on the defense.
With feet planted firmly in two distinct roles
ahead of the Draft
, Hunter hasn't been shy about his ambitions. "I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it," he told CBS Sports.
Hunter
looks likely to go within the top five picks, but there's a catch for any team considering him; they'll need to work out a game plan that accommodates his unique insistence on playing both offense and defense.
Here, we delve into Hunter's most noteworthy moments, including his multimillion-dollar fortune, personal updates involving his fiancée Leanna Lenee, and that singular condition he's set for
NFL
teams.
Travis Hunter's riches and real estate portfolio
Travis Hunter wants to shine even more in the NFL
(Image:)
As per Essentially Sports, Hunter's wealth is estimated at approximately $6 million - even before setting foot in the NFL. This tidy sum likely stems from his lucrative NIL agreements with popular brands such as Michael Strahan Brand, NXTRND, Adidas, Celsius, and Panini America.
The 21-year-old was the sixth highest-paid college athlete during his time with the Buffaloes, boasting an NIL valuation of $2.4M. Despite his youth and wealth, Hunter has shown financial wisdom by delving into real estate.
According to the Times of India, Hunter surprised his mother with a luxurious five-bedroom home in Savannah, Georgia, in a surprise he revealed on his YouTube channel.
The NFL hopeful also purchased a house in Colorado with his fiancée Leanna Lenee, as showcased in a walk-through tour video on their shared channel.
In the video, Hunter proudly displays an open-plan kitchen, spacious living areas, multiple bedrooms, and various personal accolades framed on the walls.
However, it remains uncertain whether Hunter currently resides in this property or if he's waiting to see who drafts him before settling down with Lenee in their own home.
Fiancée Leanna Lenee's social media exit following Heisman criticism
Hunter's fiancee Leanna Lenee has been under fire recently
(Image: Instagram)
Hunter has been in a relationship with his now-fiancée Lenee since 2022, and they announced their engagement in February.
Despite their public displays of affection on social media, a previous controversy reportedly led Hunter's partner to leave social media due to a wave of criticism directed at her.
During the Heisman Trophy ceremony in December 2024, as Hunter was being honored with the coveted award, his partner Lenee appeared less than enthusiastic to fans watching the event.
Footage from the award ceremony showed the 23-year-old receiving a nudge from Colorado head coach Deion Sanders to stand and join others in congratulating Hunter. Following the incident, a wave of online criticism targeted Lenee, compelling Hunter to confront the issue on his YouTube podcast.
Travis Hunter was supported by Leanna Lenee during his Heisman awards ceremony
(Image: Instagram)
The 21-year-old addressed co-host Boog Knight III about the negative commentary, stating: "For people that's talking about Leanna being mad?
"We were talking about what we're going to do with the family when I leave. So if you all want to keep talking, you can keep talking. I'm not going to say nothing else about it."
Lenee also spoke out on the hate online before her stepback from social media, as she said: "This Heisman ceremony, this is making me so mad because anyone who knows me knows I support Travis in every win, everything he does, because I truly love that man.
"He is perfect in my eyes. So, when his name was called, his mom didn't get up so I was like, 'oh, maybe I don't get up, maybe I just sit here.' So I sat there. As soon as I've seen Travis get up, then I thought it was appropriate to stand up, greet him, congratulate him. But then, there was a camera right in front of Coach Prime and I knew they were going to film that moment, and because of how people are online, I was like, 'I don't want to be in that shot, so I'm going to sit down.'".
The pair have been together since 2022
(Image: Instagram)
"So I try to sit down, so I'm not in the camera while I'm crying. People are going to be like, 'why is she crying?' Stuff like that. And so I got out of the camera purposefully so they can have their moment. That's all it was. No one told me to stand up, no one told me to celebrate with him.
"I was just sitting there crying. I wanted to take it in myself too. I was super excited for him. But I wanted the moment to be about him and his family."
Following the debacle, Lenee opted to delete her social media profiles and looks to have taken some time away from the limelight.
Travis Hunter's unique NFL demand
Heisman awards aren't the only recent headlines involving Hunter; he's also ignited debate with his intention to play both offense and defense in the NFL.
The overwhelming consensus among fans and athletes is that players typically stick to one position and predominantly play on one side of the ball, either scoring or preventing a score.
Hunter is set on rewriting the script, as he declared to the press at the scouting combine in February that he'll be the game-changer.
The athlete said: "I do both. They say nobody has ever done it for real, the way that I do it. But I tell them I'm just different, I'm a different person. I know I can do it."
And while speaking with CBS before the Draft, Hunter made it clear that picking a side was not an option when asked about choosing between offense or defense.
Travis Hunter is adamant he will be playing both sides of the ball this year
(Image:)
"It's never playing football again," he said, when pressed on which side he'd prefer. "Because I've been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it."
NFL teams are showing interest in accommodating Hunter's dual-role ambition, with the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns eyeing the "unique" talent.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan, who holds the first overall pick in the Draft, told reporters at the scouting combine that Hunter is a "unique" prospect, suggesting that "probably starts at corner, and then you find ways to inject him into the offense as he gets more comfortable."
On the other hand, Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who has the second overall pick, described Hunter as a "unicorn" because of his two-way play capability.
Berry added: "You obviously get a unicorn if you use him both ways."