Travis Hunter Just Got This Shohei Otani Comparison

No pressure, young man.

Moments after Travis Hunter was picked No. 2 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, a fellow Colorado Buffalo made quite the comparison for Travis Hunter: Shohei Otani.

FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt, who is on the NFL Network set for the 2025 NFL Draft, made the comparison following Hunter’s selection by Jacksonville, saying, “His instincts are off the charts. Just think about it, at all times when he’s on the field, he’s the best defender, and the best receiver, when the ball is in the air. And when you talk about toughness and competitive instincts, this guy comes to mind. I just don’t see how he doesn’t succeed at the next level. He’s a unicorn. He’s one of one. The only comparison I can give to him, it’s not Prime (Deion), it’s not Champ Bailey. It’s Shohei Otani. Because he’s going to impact the game on both sides.”

In the move for Hunter, the Jaguars made the deal with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns moved down three spots with the trade. Cleveland received the No. 5 pick, a second-round pick (No. 36), a fourth-round pick (No. 126) and a 2026 first-round pick from the Jaguars, who received the No. 2 pick, a fourth-round pick (No. 104) and a sixth-round pick (No. 200).

This past season, Hunter became the second full-time defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy and the fifth wide receiver to win the award. Hunter’s 15 touchdown catches were tied for second most in the FBS, and his four interceptions were tied for third most in the Big 12.

He played 1,481 snaps in 2024, nearly 300 more than any other player in the FBS. Hunter has made it clear he wants to play both ways in the NFL.