Travis Hunter’s NFL debut sparks massive questions about how the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to use him

Sporting a fresh buzz cut and plenty of swagger, Travis Hunter finally stepped onto an NFL field Sunday. For Colorado fans, it was the moment we’d all been waiting for. The two-way superstar who lit up Folsom Field the past two seasons made his Jacksonville Jaguars debut in a 26–10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

And yet, as exciting as it was to see Hunter in teal, the game left Buff Nation with a lingering question: Are the Jags really going to unleash him, or are they holding him back?

A Taste of Hunter’s Game

Hunter got his feet wet mostly on offense, where Trevor Lawrence targeted him a team-high eight times. He finished with six catches, though for only 33 yards, as Jacksonville kept things conservative. Screens, quick outs, easy completions — nothing close to the highlight-reel plays Buffs fans grew accustomed to seeing every Saturday.

Defensively, Hunter was barely on the field. Six total snaps. Just three in coverage. He gave up a 12-yard catch to Carolina rookie Tetairoa McMillan, and that was it. No game-changing interceptions. No shutdown moments on the boundary. Just… quiet.

For a No. 2 overall draft pick who won the Heisman as a do-it-all phenom? That felt strange.

The Coaching Angle

After the game, Jaguars coach Liam Coen tried to calm any concerns, framing the limited role as part of a bigger plan.

“This was Week 1,” Coen told reporters. “He missed about 10 days, and with all the coverage adjustments we had to handle, it made sense to keep things simple. I think it’s only going to expand from here.”

Translation: Jacksonville wants to ease Hunter into the NFL grind. That might be smart long-term. But it’s not what Colorado fans are used to. We watched him play nearly every snap in Boulder — catching passes, locking down receivers, and changing games on both sides of the ball. Seeing him used as just another slot option feels… well, disappointing.

The Fan Perspective

Scroll through X, and you’ll see plenty of Buffs Nation wondering aloud if Jacksonville is wasting Hunter’s rare gifts. Colorado reporter Mat Smith even said, “After one game I am MUCH less confident in Liam Coen’s plan for Travis tbh. Let’s see how it goes. Don’t love burying him in the slot and not playing him at all defensively.”

That frustration is about what we know Hunter can do. We’ve seen him erase elite wideouts one series, then turn around and snag a 40-yard touchdown the next. Buff fans know his ceiling is sky-high, and we want the NFL to showcase that — not hide it.

Remembering the Colorado Version

It’s worth remembering just how much Hunter meant to CU. In two seasons, he became the heart of the Prime Era in Boulder. He racked up over 1,200 receiving yards last year alone while snagging four interceptions. He didn’t come off the field. He just played and dominated.

Hunter made the Buffs must-see TV again. He made Heisman voters take notice of Colorado for the first time since Rashaan Salaam. And now he’s wearing an NFL jersey, carrying all that history with him.

What’s Next for Hunter

This debut doesn’t mean Hunter won’t become the two-way terror we all know he can be. It was one game. One cautious plan from a coach still figuring out how to weaponize his rookie phenom.

But if you’re a Buffs fan? You have every right to want more. More routes downfield and more defensive series. We want to see more chances for Hunter to be the same electrifying force who put Boulder on the map.

Because we’ve seen it before. And deep down, we know the NFL isn’t ready for the full Travis Hunter experience.

Buffs Nation will be watching closely. The Jags may think they’re protecting their investment, but if they don’t let him loose soon, the calls for a bigger role will only grow louder.

For now, the debut gave us a glimpse. But we’re still waiting for the full show.

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