The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced they have finally signed Travis Hunter to his rookie contract.
Hunter was drafted No. 2 overall by the Jaguars back in April but has only just come to terms with his new team.
The Heisman Trophy winner, who got married to Leanna Lenee this offseason, has signed a $46.65million, four-year contract that is fully guaranteed.
But he has also been given a staggering $30.57m signing bonus, which has been paid entirely up front.
That is a new record and makes Hunter the first non-quarterback who wasn’t drafted No. 1 overall to get his entire signing bonus up front.
Hunter had been one of three unsigned first-round picks, including Cincinnati edge rusher Shemar Stewart and Denver cornerback Jahdae Barron.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have finally signed Travis Hunter to his rookie contract
The Heisman Trophy winner and two-way star got married to Leanna Lenee this offseason
Under the NFL’s slotting system, Hunter is expected to get $840,000 in base salary as a rookie, with his contract rising to $2.96m in Year 2, $5.08m in his third season and $7.20m in his fourth.
Like all first-round draft picks, Hunter’s deal includes a club option for a fifth year.
The Jaguars traded up three spots to select the former Colorado standout in the draft and are counting on him to help change the fate of the floundering franchise. And they expect him to play both receiver and cornerback as he did at Colorado and Jackson State.
Referencing his ability to play offense and defense, the Jaguars posted the news of Hunter’s contract twice on social media. One called him a defensive back and the other labelled him a wide receiver.
Hunter caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for the Buffaloes and notched 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups, eight forced incompletions and four interceptions while allowing just one touchdown.
The Jaguars traded up three spots to draft Hunter and intend to use him on both sides of the ball this fall, planning to have him working as a slot receiver on offense and as a cornerback in certain packages on defense.
It´s familiar territory for someone who played more snaps than anyone else in college football in 2024.
