Latest news with #BednarikAward
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Browns sign first round draft pick
BEREA, Ohio (WKBN) – NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Cleveland Browns have signed first round draft pick Mason Graham. According to the report, it is a 4-year deal worth $40.9 million. Graham was selected in the first round at No. 5 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman was a First-Team All-American with the Wolverines. He was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, which goes to the nation's top defender. Graham started 12 games last season and recorded 45 tackles, 7 tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars trade up to pick Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall in NFL draft
Editor's note: Follow 2025 NFL Draft live updates, grades and analysis. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft Thursday night, setting up the next big question of Hunter's storied football career: Advertisement After trading up to get this pick from the Cleveland Browns, how will the Jaguars use him exactly? Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead announced Hunter's draft selection and identified him as a "wide receiver/defensive back." That's what he wants – to play virtually every snap as a receiver on offense and cornerback on defense, much like he did at Colorado, where he won the Heisman Trophy. Hunter told ESPN after his selection that the Jaguars were open to let him "do what I do." If Hunter plays both and flourishes at both while helping the Jaguars win, he has the potential to be a generational star and the kind of sports savior that Jacksonville has long lacked. Advertisement After a tough childhood and a storied season at Colorado in 2024, it was an emotional moment for Hunter, who attended the draft in Green Bay with his mother and father, Travis Sr. It also was a big swing for Jacksonville, who traded its No. 5 overall pick and more to move up to No. 2 and take the native of Palm Beach County, Fla. "I'm super excited to be able to go back home," Hunter told ESPN. BACKGROUND: Travis Hunter's dad permitted by judge to attend NFL draft with son: What to know What is the biggest risk with drafting Travis Hunter? Injuries. He plays hard, and he plays a lot, which increases the risk of him being sidelined. Lower body injuries limited him to eight games as a freshman at Jackson State in 2022 before he transferred to Colorado with his coach, Deion Sanders. In 2023, he got clocked on a hard hit that lacerated his liver and kept him out of three games. Then last year he got knocked out of a game with a shoulder injury. Advertisement Despite all that, he led major college football with 2,625 snaps in two seasons and became the 'most decorated player in a season in college football history' in 2024, as Colorado describes it. In addition to the Heisman, he won the Bednarik Award as the nation's most outstanding defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's most outstanding receiver. His selection at No. 2 overall makes him only the second Colorado player ever to be drafted that high, along with running back Bo Matthews, who was selected No. 2 overall by San Diego in 1974. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@ (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Hunter picked No. 2 by Jaguars in NFL draft
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars make announcement about Travis Hunter ahead of rookie minicamp
The Jacksonville Jaguars got a steal when they traded up to get Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. He became the highest drafted cornerback and second-highest drafted wide receiver in NFL history Hunter arrived in Duval on Friday for rookie minicamp, which was 24 hours after participating in the commencement ceremony in Boulder. Advertisement There was more news coming from the Jaguars on Friday. Hunter will retain his college number and wear No. 12 starting this year. With the details set in stone, 'Saucy-T's jersey will likely be an NFL top-seller, like his CU teammate Shedeur Sanders, who ironically took the same number from the Cleveland Browns Hunter has worn No. 12 nearly his entire life. He carried it from Jackson State to Colorado and now in the NFL. There's a little luck for the Heisman Trophy winner who will look to make his number famous at the next level. Related: Browns make final training camp decision on Shedeur Sanders Now, Hunter joins a Jaguars franchise looking to make strides towards being an AFC contender. He's expected to be a rare asset on both sides of the ball. Jacksonville was one of the only NFL teams who expressed willingness to have Hunter at wide receiver and cornerback. Advertisement Related: Travis Hunter's graduation attire is turning heads on social media Hunter became the most decorated player in college football history last year being named the consensus national player of the year by winning the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award and both the AP and Sporting News Player of the Year honors. He was also repeated as the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) while winning the Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy as national defensive player of the year and the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver regardless of position.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Travis Hunter Is All Over Social Media After Colorado GPA Surfaces Before NFL Draft
There may not be a more polarizing NFL draft prospect than Colorado's two-way star Travis Hunter. En route to helping lead Deion Sanders' squad to a 9-4 record this past season, Hunter dominated on both sides of the football, playing around 1,500 snaps on the year. He won eight major awards, headlined by the Heisman Trophy (most outstanding player), Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and the Hornung Award (most versatile). Advertisement However, while putting on a rare display of elite athleticism and jaw-dropping talent on the field, Hunter was also a superstar off of it. In an interview with CBS Sports before Thursday's draft, Hunter was asked what his final GPA was. "I think it's a 3.7 or a 3.9," Hunter said. "Something like that." His answer left fans in shock, and possibly more impressed with his talents. "whoa he is smart no wonder he can play both sides," wrote one fan. "I'd give this man an A+ for even being a Heisman candidate," joked another. "Great fit for New England," commented another. "Bet he does! Academic success is just as impressive as athletic skills," exclaimed another. Advertisement "Jerry will love him," projected one Cowboys fan. Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.© Lucas Boland-Imagn Images In addition to all of his on-field accolades, Hunter was also named Academic All-American of the Year this past season after securing first-team Academic All-America honors for a second year in a row. The honor made him the third athlete across all Colorado sports to win the award and the third Heisman Trophy winner to accomplish the feat, joining Florida quarterbacks Danny Wuerffel (1996) and Tim Tebow (2008). According to his profile on the team's 2024 roster, Hunter majored in Psychology. In terms of the NFL draft, FanDuel has Hunter (-1200) as the heavy favorite to be taken No. 2 overall, with the pick currently being held by the Cleveland Browns. Regardless of where he goes, one lucky NFL franchise is getting a versatile athlete on the field and astute young man off of it. Related: Alabama Nearly Dealt Devastating Ryan Williams News Because of Jalen Milroe
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Experts grade Jacksonville Jaguars trading up and picking Travis Hunter in NFL draft
Experts grade Jacksonville Jaguars trading up and picking Travis Hunter in NFL draft What grades did the experts give the Jacksonville Jaguars for trading up and picking Travis Hunter? The Jacksonville Jaguars went big and they went bold in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, trading up to select a one-of-a-kind player in Travis Hunter. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner wasn't only dominant at one position, but two at the college level. In fact, on Dane Brugler's positional rankings, Hunter was the top cornerback and the top wide receiver. According to Adam Schefter, with the Jaguars, Hunter will play both positions, but it sounds like, at least initially, he will be onboarded by giving him a "heavy dose" of the receiver position, while still playing cornerback as well. Hunter can provide a ball-hawking presence in the secondary and dynamic playmaking target on offense to pair with Brian Thomas Jr. As expected, in order to go get him, the Jaguars parted with a lot, but as GM James Gladstone said, Hunter was worthy of being a first-round pick at cornerback and a first-round pick at wide receiver. So with the dust having settled on this selection, what grades are the NFL draft analysts handing out to the Jaguars? Jacksonville Jagaurs grades for picking Travis Hunter Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Grade: A+ Prisco: "This is the move the franchise had to make. Hunter is a star, the best player in this draft. Jacksonville had to be bold now and this is bold. It's a great move." Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Kiper's biggest winners: Jaguars Kiper: "Hunter is a baller who is going to make this team better very, very quickly. Two for the price of one." Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today Grade: A- Middlehurst-Schwartz: " The cost is at least approaching prohibitive for a non-quarterback, with Jacksonville giving up both a second-round selection this year and first-rounder next year. But in landing a player whom many – including us – ranked as the top overall player in this class, new general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen have taken a major step toward fulfilling their goal of getting more explosive." Rob Rang, FOX Sports Grade: B Rang: "In 25 years of evaluating NFL prospects, I've never come across a player as versatile and talented as Hunter. He is truly one of one, earning my top grade as a receiver, as a cornerback and overall prospect." Matt Verderame, SI Grade: A Verderame: "Last year, Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver, and the Bednarik Award as the best defender in college football. In short, Hunter is a generational talent." Chad Reuter, Grade: A- Reuter: "Hunter was the top prospect in this year's draft. The Heisman Trophy winner's unique skill set allows him to provide help on both sides of the ball." Pro Football Focus Grade: Elite PFF: "Hunter's rare ability to make a legitimate impact on both sides of the ball was enticing enough for them to trade up and secure the best prospect in this year's draft."
