Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter were a game-changing duo in college football, and their connection helped turn around two college programs. While Hunter is famously a two-way player, his role on offense was being Sanders’ go-to receiver. The two frequently connected on big plays, and in gotta-have-it moments, Hunter always came through for Sanders.
Now on different teams, Hunter will soon have another opportunity to come through for his former quarterback. Sanders and Hunter will face off against each other for the first time in Week 1, when the Cleveland Browns take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Sanders isn’t currently set to be involved in the matchup.
The Browns recently named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, making Sanders QB2. That means that while Hunter is on the field as a corner and receiver, Sanders will be watching from the sideline. While that’s certainly not how they envisioned their first meeting in the pros, Hunter could help out Sanders just like old times.
The way the young Jaguars player can do that is by making life difficult for Deshaun Watson.
Deshaun Watson struggling against the Jaguars would lead to immediate calls for Shedeur Sanders
Jacksonville is entering 2026 after a quick turnaround in 2025 that resulted in a playoff appearance, and expectations are high for the Jaguars. A big part of the excitement for them heading into 2026 is that Travis Hunter is now healthy. After a rookie season where he made promising plays on both sides of the ball, a knee injury limited him to just seven games.
The unique talent is back on the field, playing both ways, but he’s only listed as a starter on defense. It’s fair to assume that’s the side of the ball Hunter will get the most reps in Week 1, and that’s when he’ll be able to affect Cleveland’s quarterback discourse.
The thing that makes Travis Hunter special, whenever he’s on the field, is his ball skills. As a corner, he had eight interceptions in college, showing off his receiver skills whenever the ball was in the air. The second-year player is still seeking his first NFL interception, though.
Considering Deshaun Watson’s propensity to put the ball in harm’s way, that interception could be coming in Week 1 for Hunter. If he does indeed pick off Watson, it would be a somewhat poetic moment, as Shedeur Sanders’ collegiate partner in crime could knock over one of the first dominos that eventually gets Sanders on the field.
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