Arik Armstead Reveals What Jaguars Really Expect from Travis Hunter

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead is fired up about the franchise’s bold move to trade up and select Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Armstead praised Hunter’s rare versatility and said he’s thrilled to welcome him to the team, even if the Heisman Trophy winner may not spend much time on the defense.

“I think this is rare air,” Armstead said. “We have a player here who would have been a first-round pick as a receiver or a cornerback. And, you know, that's very unlikely that a prospect could be a first-round pick at two different positions.”

The Jaguars originally held the No. 5 pick in the draft but orchestrated a trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up three spots, allowing them to land Hunter before he could be taken off the board.

“Everyone knew once we traded up to two who we were getting—and that was Travis Hunter,” Armstead said.

Hunter, who turned 20 on May 3, enters the NFL as one of the most electrifying prospects in recent memory. The West Palm Beach native played two-way football throughout college, starring as both a wide receiver and a cornerback.

He began his college career at Jackson State under Deion Sanders, becoming the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to an HBCU. After transferring to Colorado in 2023, Hunter delivered a historic 2024 campaign that earned him the Heisman Trophy, Biletnikoff Award, Bednarik Award, Walter Camp Award, and Hornung Award—all in the same season.

Over his two seasons with Colorado, Hunter tallied 171 receptions for 2,167 yards and 24 touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he recorded 87 tackles, nine interceptions, and 26 passes defensed.