The Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, known as much for his outspoken confidence as his elite speed, made headlines during a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast. When the topic of Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter came up, Hill delivered a blunt — and now viral — take.
“He’s gonna be a*s,” Hill said. “Ain’t no way you guarding me and then catching passes on the other side. This ain’t college.”
The remark immediately sparked debate across NFL circles, with fans and analysts split between those defending Hill’s frank assessment of NFL difficulty, and those accusing the veteran wideout of disrespecting a rookie who hasn’t yet played a down.
But if you’ve followed Hunter’s trajectory — from Jackson State to Boulder to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — Hill’s comments sound familiar.
A Pattern of Doubt
Travis Hunter’s career has been defined by defying expectations.
He shocked the college football world by flipping from Florida State to join Deion Sanders at Jackson State. He dominated at the FCS level, then made the leap to Power Five football and excelled — not just as a cornerback or wide receiver, but as both.
By the end of his junior season at Colorado, Hunter had become the face of a Coach Prime-led revival and the rare two-way player to draw legitimate Heisman consideration — ultimately winning the award. He also became one of the most discussed prospects in years, with teams coveting his versatility and raw athleticism.
That includes Jacksonville, which traded significant draft capital to move up and select Hunter second overall, making him the centerpiece of new head coach Liam Coen’s first roster.
Now, as he begins his first NFL offseason, Hill’s comments provide an early test — and potentially an early spark.
The Transition to the NFL is Real
Hill isn’t wrong to point out the steep learning curve that comes with playing both ways in the NFL. It’s unprecedented in the modern era, and the physical and mental demands at this level are unlike anything Hunter faced in college.
But early reports from Jaguars OTAs suggest Hunter is rising to the challenge.
Jacksonville defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, who previously coached linebackers in Green Bay, recently praised Hunter’s intelligence, focus, and work ethic.
“He’s doing extra every day,” Campanile told reporters. “I’ve been really impressed with his ability to retain information. I can’t imagine another guy being better suited to handle [a two-way role].”
Hunter, by all accounts, is spending extended time with position coaches on both sides of the ball, absorbing schemes and competing as if his roster spot isn’t already secured. He’s splitting reps at receiver and cornerback and hasn’t blinked in the face of the workload.
In short: he's handling it like a pro.
Hill’s Comments May Add Motivation
Whether Hill was joking, posturing, or genuinely skeptical, his comments are now part of Hunter’s early NFL narrative. The spotlight will follow the Jaguars rookie closely, and any slip — especially in coverage — will likely resurface what Hill said.
The two won’t face each other in the regular season. Jacksonville and Miami only meet in the preseason, which likely limits the chance of a true Hill vs. Hunter matchup this year.
But if and when that matchup does occur, you can expect plenty of attention.
Hill, 31, is coming off his least productive season in Miami, and with the Dolphins aging core and playoff frustrations mounting, the timing of his jab at a rookie entering the league with fanfare may speak as much about where he is in his career as it does about where Hunter’s heading.
Final Word
Travis doesn’t need to respond to Tyreek Hill with words. He never has. His game — and his track record — tend to do the talking for him.
And if history holds true, it’s not Hill’s quote that will define the rookie season of Travis Hunter.
It’s how Hunter responds.
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