Travis Hunter's college GPA resurfaces after NFL debut

Travis Hunter is setting his sights on joining one of the most exclusive clubs in NFL history as the first two-way player in the modern era. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars rookie isn’t just turning heads with his dynamic skills on both offense and defense, he’s also earning admiration for his dedication in the classroom. In April, Hunter revealed his college GPA sits "between 3.7 and 3.9", proof that his mental preparation is as sharp as his athletic instincts.

Hunter’s NFL preseason debut offered a glimpse of his rare versatility. He caught two passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers and took defensive snaps, showcasing the same dual-threat potential that made him a household name in college football.

Although the Jaguars fell 31-25 to the Steelers, much of the postgame conversation centered around whether Hunter could handle the mental and physical demands of playing both ways “That’s all I have to do is play football and go out there and study and make sure I understand what I’m doing," Hunter said. 

However, history is not on his side. Two-way NFL players are virtually extinct. The last full-time example, Chuck Bednarik, starred for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 to 1962 as both a linebacker and offensive lineman. 

Deion Sanders, Mike Vrabel, and a handful of others have played on both sides, except not full-time. Legends like Sammy Baugh and Don Hutson also thrived in multiple roles, but that was in a far different era of the game. The modern NFL has made such experiments rare.

But Jacksonville’s coaching staff believes in Hunter’s potential. Head coach Liam Coen praised his offensive work particularly his sharp option routes. While noting there’s room to grow defensively after a missed tackle. “He made a couple good catches… almost broke out of that one where Trevor (Lawrence) put it behind him on that third down,” Coen said, adding that more film study would reveal the full picture.

Hunter’s journey to this point has been remarkable. A top five-star high school recruit, who began at Jackson State under Sanders before transferring to Colorado. In 2024, his incredible two-way production earned him the Heisman Trophy, where he delivered a moving speech honoring his father who was incarcerated. The emotional moment reminded fans that behind the highlight reels is a young man fueled by family and resilience.

Hunter is listed as a starting wide receiver and backup cornerback on Jacksonville’s depth chart. At Colorado, he tallied 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 36 tackles, and four interceptions. Those numbers proved he could excel in both roles, but the NFL will be the true test.

The Jaguars’ season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7 could be the first real chapter in what might become one of football’s rarest success stories.