Travis Hunter’s OROY Race Heats Up as Former Teammate Rises | NFL Wires
Two-way star Travis Hunter battles tougher competition. His former Colorado teammate Jimmy Horn Jr., now drafted, is out to claim Offensive Rookie of the Year. Get insights at NFL Wires.
Introduction: Rising Stakes in Rookie of the Year Battle
Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars superstar prospect playing both receiver and cornerback, entered his rookie season with high expectations. With odds placing him third for Offensive Rookie of the Year, he looked set to win. But the narrative changed—former Colorado teammate Jimmy Horn Jr. has emerged from relative obscurity to challenge Hunter for the same award, tightening the rookie race.
Hunter’s Unique Patchwork: Receiver + Defender
Hunter's versatility is historic:
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Drafted second overall by Jacksonville, touted for dynamic play on both offense and defense .
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Considered a serious contender for both offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year, with +900 and +1000 odds respectively.
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Jaguars confirmed he'll begin on offense before incorporating defensive snaps.
A rare talent, Hunter's early minicamp reps increasingly focused on pass-catching and route-running—a sign he's near game-ready status.
Jimmy Horn Jr.: The Surprising Former Teammate
Jimmy Horn Jr., Hunter’s former teammate at Colorado, entered the NFL quietly via the sixth round. But his early résumé at minicamp and positional battles has begun turning heads:
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At Colorado, Horn and Hunter formed a top receiver duo, with Horn often overshadowed but equally skilled.
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Now, Horn has become a rookie free-agent success story—earning looks on depth charts and snaps with veteran quarterbacks.
Early camp reports suggest Horn’s seamless transition has positioned him to compete for solid offensive production—a potential threat to Hunter’s OROY campaign.
Why the OROY Race Is Shifting
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Snap Volume: If Hunter splits time between offense and defense, his offensive statistics may trail specialists like Horn who get full offensive reps.
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Camp Momentum: Horn’s sudden boost in usage could translate into early season targets and confidence from quarterbacks.
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Narrative Shift: Media and fan attention is shifting toward the newcomer who appears fully locked into offensive schemes—just like Horn.
The NFL Wires Takeaway
Travis Hunter remains a generational talent, but the Rookie of the Year conversation just got more competitive. His two-way role is impressive—but may come at the cost of offensive volume. Meanwhile, Jimmy Horn Jr. is seizing his moment.
Will Hunter’s unique dual-role elevate him above the field? Or will Horn’s focused offensive snaps tip the scales?
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