He actually did it. For years, the sight of Travis Hunter meant seeing those signature long locs flowing out from under a Colorado—and briefly Jackson State—helmet. It was part of the brand. Part of the "Suwannee to the League" look we all got used to. But then, right before his NFL debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2024 Heisman winner decided it was time for a change.
If you missed the social media drop, Hunter walked into EverBank Stadium for Week 1 against the Panthers looking like a completely different person. The dreads? Gone. In their place? A crisp, low-cut taper fade that he jokingly called a "chopped cheese."
The "New Era" Mentality
Why now? Honestly, for a guy who has been under the microscope since he was the number one recruit in the nation, timing is everything. Hunter isn't just playing on Sundays now; he's a dad.
Shortly before the 2025 season kicked off, Travis and his wife, Leanna Lenee, announced the arrival of their first child. When he debuted the travis hunter new haircut, he didn't lean on some corporate PR answer. He kept it real. "Aye, I’m a changed man," Hunter told the Jaguars' social team. "Got a son now, got a kid, gotta change bruh."
It's sort of a rite of passage, right? The "dad cut" is a real thing, even if you’re a 22-year-old phenom who plays more snaps than anyone else in the league. Cutting off years of growth symbolizes a fresh start. New league, new city, new responsibilities.
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Style Meets Aerodynamics
While fans were busy mourning the hair on X (formerly Twitter), some started joking about the "weight reduction."
Look, we know a haircut isn't going to magically drop his 40-yard dash time by a tenth of a second. But in a game of inches, feeling "lighter" matters. Hunter's debut in that fresh taper fade saw him logging heavy reps at wide receiver and jumping in for situational snaps at cornerback. He finished that first game with six catches and a tackle.
The hair wasn't the only thing that looked different, though. He was rocking custom Anthony Edwards 1 cleats—a nod to the Adidas family he joined right before leaving Boulder. The combination of the buzz cut and the AE1s made it clear: the college version of Travis Hunter stayed in 2024.
How the Move Impacted His Brand
You’d think a signature look being tossed in the barber’s bin would hurt a guy’s "marketability." Usually, agents freak out when a player kills a recognizable "image."
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Not here.
Hunter’s NIL deals—now turned full-blown NFL endorsements—are built on his personality, not just his hair. Whether he’s signing with United Airlines or being the face of EA Sports College Football 25, the "look" is secondary to the "dog" in him. If anything, the travis hunter new haircut made him look more like a pro.
- Social Impact: The video of his reveal racked up millions of views across The Shade Room and Overtime.
- Fan Reaction: Most fans actually loved it. The consensus was that he looked "locked in" and ready for business.
- Symmetry: He matches his son now. It’s hard to root against the "new dad" energy.
What’s Next for Hunter?
Currently, Hunter is navigating a bit of a crossroads. After a standout start to his rookie year, he hit a snag with a non-contact knee injury (LCL tear) in late October. It was a tough blow for a guy who thrives on being "everywhere" on the field.
But as of January 2026, the word out of Jacksonville is optimistic. General Manager James Gladstone recently confirmed that Hunter is "attacking" his rehab. The team has no plans to limit him to one side of the ball, either. When he returns for the 2026 season, he’s still expected to be that rare two-way threat.
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Will he grow the locs back? Who knows. For now, the short hair seems to suit the "NFL Travis." It’s cleaner, it’s professional, and it signifies he's past the phase of being a "top prospect." He's just a pro now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with Hunter's style or his recovery, here is how to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Vlogs: His YouTube channel (shared with Leanna) is where the real behind-the-scenes stuff drops, including his rehab progress.
- Follow the Cleats: Keep an eye on his Adidas partnership; rumors of a signature turf shoe or more AE1 collaborations for 2026 are heating up.
- The 2026 Return: Mark your calendars for the 2026 preseason. The Jaguars are betting big on a "healthy and hungry" Hunter to lead their secondary and their receiving corps.
The haircut was just the beginning of the transformation. The real story is how he handles the comeback.