Travis Hunter isn’t just a player—he’s a football unicorn. A two-way phenom, Heisman winner, and certified game-changer. Yet somehow, as the 2025 NFL Draft buzz picks up, he’s not the name at the top of every board. Instead, it’s QBs like Cam Ward soaking up the spotlight. And for the first time, we’re seeing Hunter not just raise an eyebrow—but clap back.
Because let’s be real—Hunter’s done everything you could possibly ask of a college player. And the NFL still doesn’t know what to make of him. That disrespect? It’s starting to sting. Especially when draft boards keep sliding him down while pushing quarterbacks like Ward and even defenders like Abdul Carter ahead of him. Now, Hunter isn’t just hearing the noise. He’s responding—and showing a different side of himself.
On paper, Hunter should be a lock for the No. 1 pick. He’s the only player in recent memory to dominate on both sides of the ball. He hauled in 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wide receiver. He also snagged 4 picks and broke up 11 passes as a corner. That earned him the Fred Biletnikoff Award (best WR), the Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player), and the Heisman Trophy. A triple crown. Unheard of.
But in NFL circles, the whispers have grown louder: Is he a wideout? A corner? Can you build your franchise around a hybrid? That uncertainty has dropped him from the top spot in several mock drafts. He’s still mostly mocked in the Top 5—but recently, things took a sharp turn. Maurice Jones-Drew’s latest mock? He has Hunter falling to No. 7, landing with the New York Jets. And that’s where things got personal.
Enter Cam Ward, the QB whose stock is flying high. Some scouts now have him as the No. 1 pick, citing his arm talent, pocket movement, and late-season surge. And Travis Hunter? He’s watching from the sidelines as Ward passes him in mock after mock. On the April 3rd episode of The Travis Hunter Show, things finally boiled over. The conversation started innocent enough—Travis, Kaden, and Boog arguing over the classic “LeBron vs. MJ” debate.
Hunter, a known LeBron loyalist, started to get visibly irritated when Boog gave MJ the edge and said nobody’s drafting LeBron James over Jordan in their prime. That’s when Travis snapped, flipping the convo into something deeper. “Hey, just like right now, right now, right now, right now with me and Cam Ward! Who they F to pick over me? CAM Ward. And who won the—who won the Heisman Trophy? Me. You think that matters?”
That wasn’t just trash talk. That was frustration. That was Hunter finally cracking from the weight of expectations, disrespect, and watching QBs leapfrog him despite him being the most decorated player in college football. Boog tried to cool things down—“That football? Football different!”—but the damage was done. Travis Hunter’s patience? Gone. “Do you think that don’t matter…that don’t mean a goddamn thing. That don’t mean nothing,” Hunter said, referencing his Heisman win.
Let’s be honest—if Hunter does slip to No. 7, any team that grabs him is getting a steal. Maurice Jones-Drew even said it himself: “I’m guessing the Jets would be thrilled—and very surprised—to see the Heisman Trophy winner available here.” And who wouldn’t be? A guy who can shut down WR1s on defense and torch CB1s on offense, all in one roster spot? That’s a cheat code.
But the draft doesn’t always reward the best players—it often favors positional value. And QBs always take center stage. In MJD’s mock alone, Hunter was passed by Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Will Campbell, Abdul Carter, Shedeur Sanders, and of course—Cam Ward. Even with all the hardware, Hunter’s slide sends a message: winning the Heisman still doesn’t guarantee you NFL respect.
The Mel Kiper curveball: Giants could pull a shocker
But not all hope is lost. Mel Kiper Jr. just tossed in his prediction that could change the game. In a recent segment breaking down Field Yates’ mock draft, Kiper suggested the New York Giants, holding the No. 3 pick, should go bold and grab Travis Hunter.
“I’m looking at maybe the best player on their board. It’s best player on my board is Travis Hunter. He’s there, you’re picking three. Shedeur Sanders is five on my board. So you’ve got the No. 1 player, you pass on, take the No. 5 player just because he’s a quarterback? Maybe not.”
That’s a strong take—and a smart one. The Titans at No. 1 are eyeing Cam Ward. The Browns at No. 2 need a QB badly. That opens the door for the Giants to land the draft’s most unique weapon. Even better? The Giants don’t need a QB right now.
They’ve signed Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson and still have Tommy DeVito. That gives them breathing room to take the best player available. Add in the possibility of trading back into Round 1 to snag Shedeur Sanders, and suddenly you’ve got the makings of a blockbuster draft.
Travis Hunter is learning the hard way that NFL draft boards don’t care about awards. They care about roles, fit, and—above all—quarterbacks. But if his recent outburst is any indication, the slight isn’t breaking him. It’s fueling him. And maybe that’s the best thing for a guy like Hunter. Because when the NFL questions what you are, sometimes you have to remind them: you’re one of one.
The post Travis Hunter Triggered Over Cam Ward’s Draft Hype as NFL’s Heisman Disrespect Forces CU Star to Show True Colors appeared first on EssentiallySports.
