Travis Hunter Projected to Join $37 Million NFL QB

It's no surprise that Hunter has risen up NFL draft boards. He is a rare talent that could be a useful addition on both sides of the ball at the next level. The question that will be debated for the next several months, though, is where Hunter will land with plenty of other talent to choose from. 

According to CBS Sports' latest 2025 NFL mock draft, Josh Edwards projects Hunter to land at No. 4 overall to the Carolina Panthers. That would unite Hunter with former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. 

The former Alabama quarterback was taken first in the 2023 draft, signing a four-year, $37.96 million contract. He started every game for the Panthers in his rookie season before struggles prompted a benching earlier this season. Young has since returned to the starting lineup for Carolina (3-10) and has shown flashes of improvement. 

According to Edwards, Hunter to the Panthers could be contingent on which position he wants to focus on as a pro. While another talented receiver could be a useful weapon for Young, Hunter's skills at cornerback could be more of a difference maker for the franchise. 

"If Travis Hunter Jr. mandates playing wide receiver as opposed to cornerback, then that could impact how teams view him in the draft," Edwards wrote. "The Panthers need a cornerback, but a top-10 draft choice on a receiver may be too rich considering they have used a lot of draft capital on the position recently with Jonathan Mingo and Xavier Legette."

Hunter and the Buffaloes (9-3) will take the field for a final time this season in the Valero Alamo Bowl against BYU (10-2). Kickoff is slated for Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC).