Travis Hunter is a Jacksonville Jaguar.
As expected, the unicorn two-way prospect and Heisman Trophy winner didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called.
GettyTravis Jr. takes to the stage with Roger Goodell[/caption]
The Jaguars were willing to give their first-round pick in 2026 to the Cleveland Browns in order to move up three spots and get their man.
There will be many doubters over Hunter’s ability to play on both sides of the ball as a pro but his dad Travis Sr. will not be among them.
After missing his son’s Heisman presentation due to home confinement over drug and gun charges, he was given special permission to travel to Green Bay and join Travis Jr. in the green room.
After the superstar out of Colorado took the stage and donned a Jacksonville cap, he was played an emotional message from his biggest fan.
“Hey Trav, I wanted to congratulate you on the journey that you have been on,” Travis Sr. said. “I always knew you’d be here because I never once saw you miss practice since you was four years old. And I love that drive about you.
“Now the big day done came and I don’t know if I’m gonna cry or not but you shocked me with this one.
“A top-five pick. I love you and I’m glad I get to spend this time with you.”
Travis Jr. beamed with delight throughout the clip and despite enjoying his big moment, told his new team that he is only just getting started.
“That was tough,” said the 21-year-old. “It means a lot to have my dad here, he couldn’t come to the Heisman so it’s a blessing to have him here to see me walk the stage, do my thing, do my dance and have fun.
“It’s always been my dream, like he said, since I was four, I never missed a practice. I’m always at practice, I’m always on time.
GettyTravis Jr. is hoping to play at wide receiver and cornerback[/caption]
“I’m just excited to play football, so seeing him make a video that means a lot to me. But I still go work to do.”
That final sentence will be music to the ears of a Jaguars organization that needs a spark after years of hitting a bum note.
Travis Sr. is serving a home confinement sentence in West Palm Beach, Florida, stemming from his arrest on gun and drug charges in 2023.
He was sentenced to 90 days in September 2024 and released nine days before Hunter Jr. was presented with the Heisman Trophy in New York.
“I don’t want to go,” Travis Sr. said. “I want to be there when he gets married and when he gets drafted. I’m going to watch this from home.”
Hunter Jr. was visibly emotional as he talked about his father during his speech.
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“I want to say something to my father,” the former Buffaloes star said. “He’s not here and wasn’t able to make it but I know you’re watching on TV.
“Dad, I love you. For all the stuff you went through, man. Now look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man.
“All the times that you didn’t get to see me, or the times you did come to see my games. From not seeing probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me. That means so much to me.
“I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but trust me, I got you. I’m bringing the trophy home. I love you.”
Travis Sr. gave up on his own football dream in order to provide for his family, now he gets to watch his son try and do something nobody has done before.
It will take a lot of determination, but there is no lack of that in Jacksonville’s newest recruit.
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