After an electrifying collegiate career at Buffalo, Travis Hunter got the honor of seeing his number retired. The Jacksonville Jaguars know the kind of playmaker the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is, so they issued him the same number he wore with the Buffaloes.
Less than a day after getting drafted, it's been revealed that Hunter will wear No. 12. Here's a clip the team posted on social media.
It's worth noting that Nick Mullens was assigned No. 12. As of this writing, it's unknown if Hunter had to pay the quarterback, but it doesn't look like it was an issue.
Mullens signed a two-year deal in free agency to back up Trevor Lawrence. Aside from him, here are other players who've worn No. 12 with the Jaguars:
- Mike Brown, WR - 2012-2014
- Devin Duvernay, WR -2024
- Tyron Johnson, WR - 2021
- Luke McCown, QB - 2009-2011
- Jonathan Quinn, QB - 1998-2001
- Tony Washington, WR - 2015-2016
- Dede Westbrook, WR - 2017-2020
No disrespect to any of the players above, but none of them have had a big impact in Jacksonville. Sure, Dede Westbrook had his moments, but he was far from being a franchise-building block. In fact, you could make the case that Hunter is already the most prominent player in team history to wear No. 12, and he hasn't even played a down! But that's just how high expectations are after drafting him second overall.
Hunter rose to national prominence for his ability to play cornerback and wide receiver at a high level. Now with the Jaguars, he expects to continue to line up on both sides of the ball.
Travis Hunter has the talent to carve a legacy with the Jaguars
After getting drafted, Travis Hunter met with the local media and touched on several things, including whether he feels any pressure after becoming the No. 2 overall selection.
"There's no pressure and no pressure for me," Hunter responded when asked if he feels any pressure about the Jaguars mortgaging their future to draft him. "I just got to go out there and do my job. You know, be Travis Hunter, they did everything they could to come get me. Now, I gotta do everything I could to help win, and, you know, help the organization."
For context, the Jaguars basically gave up a second-round pick this year and their first rounder in 2026 to trade up for Hunter. Later in the exchange, Hunter said that he's aware of the team's struggles to consistently win games in previous years. He says he'll do his best to steer the ship in the right direction.
"I just feel like I can help the organization out in many ways, you know. And I hope, I hope that you know. I hope that we turn it around," Hunter said.
Based on his comments, Hunter is embracing the challenge and is thrilled to be with the Jaguars. The fact that he gets to wear No. 12 is the icing on the cake.