On Thursday morning, Travis Hunter walked across Folsom Field in Boulder, rocking his cap and gown just like how he rocked the college football world for the last two seasons. The former Jackson State phenom turned Colorado legend is officially a college graduate.
He will be leaving CU not just as the most electrifying two-way player in modern football, but also as a proud Anthropology major with a 4.0 GPA and two Academic All-American honors to his name.
From the forced fumble against Baylor to being drafted by the Jaguars, this moment is special. Because it’s not just about football. It’s about finishing what you started. And in a non-committal college football world—transfers, opt-outs, NIL disagreements—Hunter stayed locked in from start to finish.
Heisman winner? Check. No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft? Check. Degree in hand? Check.
He's a special example of a rare, fully-finished career in College Football. That's legacy.
Coach Prime’s vision
When Deion Sanders came to Boulder, a lot of people called it hype and that he would pull a Mel Tucker in two seasons. But here we are, two years later, and his biggest recruit just left with the Heisman, an NFL contract, and a 4.0 GPA. That’s not hype. That’s proof.
Hunter followed Coach Prime from Jackson State to Colorado when everyone said he was crazy for switching from Florida State. He bet on Prime—and he bet on himself. Now, he’s heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars as the highest-drafted Buff since RB Bo Matthews in 1974.
Hunter dominated as a two-way player while also majoring in Anthropology and acing his classes. That's the fruit of what Coach Prime is building at Colorado.
Jaguars made their move for a reason
It’s easy to see why Jacksonville gave up serious draft picks to trade up for Hunter. They didn’t just get an elite athlete. They got a winner. A hard worker and a culture-changer. Travis takes over games and still shows up for class on Monday.
GM Trent Baalke and the Jaguars front office knew what they were doing. They saw what Buffs fans saw: a unicorn. A modern-day Champ Bailey with even more talent.
From Folsom Field to the NFL
Thursday’s graduation ceremony is emotional for Buffs Nation. Those ceremonies are something special. I got to walk across that same field three years ago, and I still remember the feeling like it was yesterday.
While you're sitting there in your cap and gown, surrounded by the Flatirons and the beautiful sunshine, it hits you—how far you've come, and how much promise the future holds. It’s emotional, it’s inspiring, and for someone like Travis Hunter, that moment has to feel like the perfect ending to a legendary career.
That’s exactly what today was for Hunter—a culmination. A celebration of a college career that we might not fully appreciate until years from now.
And to top it off, CU’s beloved Miss Peggy—was there to celebrate the grads. How cool is that?
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