Former Heisman Trophy winner and current Jacksonville Jaguar Travis Hunter will make his long-awaited Colorado return for the first time against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Hunter was a standout player for theColorado Buffaloes under Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Hunter put together an impressive Heisman campaign playing on both sides of the ball as a cornerback and wide receiver, before being selected by Jacksonville with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Hunter tried to become that kind of two-way player in 2025 before, ultimately, his season ended with an LCL tear in his right knee. Hunter was on the Jaguars' sideline when they played in Denver last fall, but did not participate in the game. This time, he'll be fully healthy.
"I’m just going to go out there and play ball," Hunter said to Jaguars media members. "That’s my main focus.”
Broncos coach Sean Payton was one of the men who evaluated Hunter prior to the 2025 draft, even though Denver had virtually no chance of selecting Hunter with the 20th overall pick. Payton called Hunter an "impressive" player.
"Great makeup," Payton said of Hunter. "I remember the Pro Day (at the University of Colorado). It was impressive. A lot of stuff came naturally to him. He has great ball skills. He catches the ball extremely well. He’s smart. It was impressive to be around him, really.”
With the duality of his skill set, Payton is fully prepared to keep an eye on the former Heisman winner.
"I think we approach it as he’s one of the corners, and then we’re alert for any package where he’s on offense," Payton detailed. "I would say it’s a little bit more of a defensive player who has versatility when he’s in the game on offense.”
Cornerback Pat Surtain agreed with Payton's assessment.
"Obviously they're going to utilize him both sides of the ball," Surtain said on Thursday. "Obviously they want to get the ball in his hands, because he's very dynamic with it. Travis, he's a hell of a player."
Other Broncos commented on seeing Hunter in action. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix spoke of the healthy respect Hunter's skills demand.
"He’s a really athletic player, instinctual, has great ball skills," Nix said. "He’s definitely somebody that you have to be aware of. I think there’s, just like any defense, you want to be able to attack them, but at the same time, just understand and know what they’re capable of doing.”
As someone who could very well line up one-on-one with Hunter, wide receiver Courtland Sutton spoke of the athlete Hunter is. He is also excited for the challenge Hunter may present on defense.
"He’s a really talented guy," Sutton said. "I know he’s a really talented corner or athlete. I can’t even just say corner. He’s a really talented athlete, which is why they have looked at trying to play him on both sides of the ball. I’m just looking forward to getting to go against him. He’s had a lot of success, a lot of accolades that have bounced with his name and he’s earned all of those things. It’s going to be fun being able to go against him.”
Courtland Sutton is looking forward to finally getting his matchup with Travis Hunter 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q8xKj1nIAp
— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports) September 17, 2026
The Broncos hope to ruin Hunter's homecoming when the Jaguars travel to Denver on Sunday for an important Week 2 matchup.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos prepare for ‘really talented’ Travis Hunter’s Colorado return
