
Introduction
Travis Hunter is one of the most talked-about young talents in American football. A rare two-way player who excelled both as a wide receiver and as a cornerback in college, Hunter has drawn comparisons to legends and broken new ground. In this article, we answer three key questions that many fans search for:
-
Where did Travis Hunter go to college?
-
Is he playing tonight (or will he play tonight)?
-
What is his jersey (uniform) number?
We dive into his background, collegiate journey, professional status, and what to expect next.
1. Where did Travis Hunter go to college?
One of the most common questions about Hunter is his collegiate path — because it is unusual in more than one way.
High school and recruitment
Travis Hunter Jr. was born on May 18, 2003, and grew up in Suwanee, Georgia (after earlier in life in Florida) and attended Collins Hill High School. He emerged as a top high school recruit, known for his speed, athleticism, and two-way ability (playing defense and offense).
He was originally committed to Florida State University but eventually flipped to Jackson State University, based in Jackson, Mississippi, where Deion Sanders (a former NFL great) was head coach. This move surprised many, because most five-star recruits join Power 5 programs, but Hunter cited the chance to play and develop under Coach Prime as a major reason.
Jackson State (2022)
In 2022, Travis Hunter played for the Jackson State Tigers (an FCS program). He became the first five-star high school prospect to sign with an FCS school since ESPN began ranking recruits.
At Jackson State, he showcased his dual skills:
-
On offense, he made receptions and touchdowns as a wide receiver.
-
On defense, he contributed with tackles, breakups, and interceptions.
As a freshman, he helped Jackson State post an 11–0 regular season and win the SWAC Championship (though they lost in the Celebration Bowl). His versatility and performance drew national attention.
Transfer to University of Colorado (2023–2024)
After one season at Jackson State, Travis Hunter followed Deion Sanders when Sanders accepted the head coaching job at the University of Colorado Boulder. In 2023, Hunter transferred to Colorado Buffaloes, moving from FCS to FBS competition.
At Colorado, he had two defining seasons (2023, 2024). Some highlights:
-
He became one of the most used two-way players in collegiate history — often playing nearly every snap on both offense and defense.
-
He earned major individual honors: in 2024, he won the Heisman Trophy, which is rarely awarded to a player who plays on both sides of the ball.
-
He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) and the Fred Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) — making history as the only player to claim both in the same year.
-
His academic performance was equally impressive: he graduated with a degree in anthropology and posted a cumulative GPA around 3.79.
By the end of his collegiate journey, he had built a legacy as one of the most decorated and versatile players in college football history.
2. Playing tonight? (Is Travis Hunter in action tonight?)
When fans search “playing tonight,” they are typically wondering whether Hunter is active for his team, or whether he is eligible to play. As of 2025, Travis Hunter is now in the NFL, so the question depends on whether his team has a scheduled game and whether he’s active.
Professional status and team
Travis Hunter was selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He serves as a hybrid wide receiver / defensive back (cornerback) — carrying over his two-way skills from college. His current uniform number is #12 for the Jaguars.
Availability tonight
To determine if he’s playing tonight:
-
Does his team have a game tonight?
You’d check the NFL schedule for the Jaguars for that date. -
Is he active or on injury list?
Recent reports suggest that for Week 5, Justin Times of India reported that Hunter will be available and is not listed on Jacksonville’s final Week 5 injury report.
Also, the Jaguars’ official site notes that he is being closely monitored for his dual role — the team “trusts him” but is managing his defensive/offensive snap usage.
Thus, if the Jaguars have a game tonight and he is not injured or inactive, it is likely he will play (or at least be available). But keep an eye on the official injury report for that day for final confirmation.
Snap usage and role
One interesting aspect of Hunter’s NFL career is how much defense vs offense he will play. In college he often saw near-full snap counts, but the Jaguars will likely manage his load, especially as a rookie. Former NFL players have raised doubts about sustaining such two-way workloads at the pro level.
In early games, he has logged significant snaps on offense and some on defense. So yes — he’s expected to play tonight, pending roster and injury decisions.
3. What is Travis Hunter’s jersey (uniform) number?
Travis Hunter wears #12 for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.
In college:
-
At Colorado, he also wore #12 as a Buffaloes player.
-
At Jackson State, he also used the number 12.
Because of his iconic performances wearing that number (especially during his Heisman season), #12 has become deeply associated with Hunter.
4. Why Travis Hunter is remarkable (bonus context)
To appreciate fully where he came from and why people care whether he plays tonight, here are some key features and storylines in his profile:
A true two-way player
Travis Hunter is one of the few in recent history to excel on both offense and defense at a high level. At Colorado he logged plays at receiver, cornerback, and even special teams. Winning both the Fred Biletnikoff Award and Chuck Bednarik Award in 2024 underscores that rare dual dominance.
Award haul & historic achievements
Hunter’s 2024 season produced a stunning set of honors:
-
Heisman Trophy winner (as one of the few two-way players).
-
Fred Biletnikoff Award (top wide receiver)
-
Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player)
-
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
-
Consensus All-American honors
-
Strong academic record: at Colorado he maintained a ~3.79 GPA and achieved All-Academic team status.
All of this adds to his marketability, hype, and expectations in the NFL.
Challenges ahead: workload, durability, specialization
While his college performance was extraordinary, the NFL is a different beast. Sustaining high snap counts on both sides without burnout, injury, or performance dips is a key hurdle. Some analysts and former players have cautioned that his “armor” will be tested — both physically and mentally — especially as opponents focus on exposing weaknesses. The Jaguars will need to carefully manage his role — deciding when to lean more offense, more defense, or limit him to one side. Travis Hunter college.
Fan excitement and media attention
Given his background, fans and media are watching every game, snap, and decision. Headlines often revolve around whether he’ll play both ways, how adapted he is to pro speed, and how the Jaguars will deploy him.
5. What to watch tonight (if he plays)
If Travis Hunter does play tonight, here are key storylines and things to watch:
-
Snap allocation: Will he play offense and defense or be limited primarily to offense?
-
First big defensive test: Can he lock down receivers or make plays in coverage?
-
Offensive usage: Will he be targeted in deep routes, slot, or mismatches?
-
Stamina & substitutions: Will the Jaguars rotate him or rest him?
-
Impact plays: Interceptions, pass breakups, contested catches — moments that will define confidence.
Also check pregame injury reports and coach press conferences for final confirmation on his status and role.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Did Travis Hunter play both offense and defense in college?
A1: Yes — at Colorado, he often played on offense (as wide receiver) and defense (as cornerback), seeing snaps nearly every game on both sides.
Q2: What colleges did Travis Hunter attend?
A2: He started at Jackson State University in 2022, then transferred to University of Colorado Boulder (Colorado Buffaloes) for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Q3: What is his jersey number now?
A3: He wears #12 for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL. That was also his number in college. Travis Hunter college.
Q4: Will Travis Hunter play tonight?
A4: If the Jaguars have a game tonight and he’s not inactive or injured, he’s likely to be available. As of recent reports, he was not listed on their Week 5 injury report and is expected to be available. Always check the official NFL or team site for final status.
Q5: Why is Travis Hunter so hyped?
A5: Because of his rare ability to dominate both offense and defense, his award haul (Heisman, Bednarik, Biletnikoff), and his consistent performance in college. His combination of athleticism, versatility, and football IQ makes him a generational prospect.
Q6: How will the Jaguars manage his role?
A6: They are expected to carefully balance his snap counts, gradually ramp up his defensive reps, and possibly specialize him more on offense or defense depending on matchups, health, and coaching strategy.
Leave a Reply