If you’ve watched a single Jacksonville Jaguars game lately or caught a Saturday afternoon in Boulder last year, you know the name. Travis Hunter. He’s the guy who basically never leaves the field. He catches touchdowns, then turns around and picks off passes. It’s exhausting just to watch, honestly. But the question that keeps popping up in group chats and search bars isn't just about his stats. People want to know the logistics. Specifically, how old is Travis Hunter and how is he already doing this at the highest level of football?
The short answer? Travis Hunter is 22 years old. He was born on May 18, 2003, in West Palm Beach, Florida. If you’re doing the math, that means he’s still technically a "kid" by NFL standards, despite the fact that he's currently carrying the weight of a franchise on his shoulders.
The Timeline of a Two-Way Phenom
Most players pick a lane. You're a corner or you're a wideout. Travis? He decided that sounded boring. Born and raised in Florida before moving to Georgia for high school, he was the top-ranked recruit in the entire country for the class of 2022.
Think about that. At 18 years old, every major program in America was knocking on his door. When he famously flipped from Florida State to Jackson State to play for Deion Sanders, he wasn't even old enough to buy a lottery ticket in some states. He was 18, changing the landscape of NIL and college football recruiting forever.
By the time he followed "Coach Prime" to Colorado, he was 20. That 2024 season—the one where he won the Heisman Trophy—was his "age 21" season. While most 21-year-olds were figuring out their major or trying to find a decent internship, Travis Hunter was playing over 100 snaps a game and winning the Biletnikoff (best receiver) and the Bednarik (best defender) simultaneously.
Why the Age Mattered in the 2025 NFL Draft
When the Jacksonville Jaguars moved up to take him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, his age was a massive selling point. He was a 21-year-old rookie with the polish of a ten-year vet.
But there’s a flip side to being 22 in the NFL. The human body has limits. Even though Travis wants to play every single snap on both sides of the ball, the Jaguars have had to be the "adults in the room."
- Freshman Year (Jackson State): 19 years old.
- Sophomore Year (Colorado): 20 years old.
- Junior Year/Heisman Win (Colorado): 21 years old.
- NFL Rookie Year (Jaguars): 22 years old.
What Most People Get Wrong About Travis Hunter’s Age
There’s a misconception that because he’s been in the spotlight since high school, he’s somehow "older" than his peers. He isn't. He’s actually younger than several quarterbacks who came out in the same draft class.
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The concern isn't that he's old; it's the "mileage." At 22, he has already played more snaps than most 25-year-old NFL players. In 2024 alone, he led the FBS in total snaps. We're talking about a guy who played 2,625 snaps over two years at Colorado. That’s a lot of wear and tear on a 22-year-old frame.
Recently, a knee injury slowed down his rookie campaign in Jacksonville. It was a reality check for everyone. When you're 22, you feel invincible. You think you can sprint for 60 minutes and wake up fine. But the NFL is a different beast. Jaguars GM James Gladstone recently hinted that while they love his two-way ability, the 2026 season might see him lean more toward cornerback. Why? Because the team needs him there, and it might actually preserve his career so he’s still playing at 30.
The Suwanee Connection
If you go back to his roots at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, you see where the legend started. He broke the Georgia state record for receiving touchdowns (48). He was doing this at 16 and 17 years old.
He wasn't just better than the other kids; he was fundamentally different. Most "athletes" are raw. Travis was refined. His footwork at 17 was better than most college seniors. That’s why his age is so startling. Usually, you have to wait for a player to "mature" into their game. Travis arrived matured.
What's Next for the 22-Year-Old Star?
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026 and beyond, Travis Hunter is at a crossroads that no other player has ever really faced. He’s the reigning Heisman winner and a top-two NFL pick. He’s 22, wealthy, and incredibly talented.
But the Jaguars have a salary cap to manage. They have expiring contracts at the cornerback position. Logic suggests they’ll move him there full-time to save his legs and secure the defense. Travis, being Travis, will likely fight that. He wants the ball. He wants to score.
Honestly, the most impressive thing about him isn't the 40-yard dash or the vertical jump. It’s the mental stamina. To be 22 and handle the pressure of being the "face of the NFL's future" while playing the two most physically demanding positions on the field is unheard of.
Practical Steps for Following Travis Hunter's Career:
- Monitor the Offseason Roster: Watch the Jaguars' free agency moves. If they don't sign a high-end corner, expect Travis to spend 90% of his time on defense in 2026.
- Ignore the "Bust" Talk: If his offensive stats drop because he's playing more defense, don't assume he's failing. At 22, his primary job is to become a lockdown corner—the receiver stuff is a luxury.
- Check the Snap Counts: The best way to track his health is through weekly snap counts. If he stays under 60 snaps a game, his longevity increases significantly.
Travis Hunter is 22. He’s got at least a decade of elite football left in him if his body holds up. Whether he stays a two-way star or settles into one spot, we're watching a career that people will be talking about for the next fifty years.