Nine games into their first season with head coach Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots are 2-7, positioning themselves for a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
If the season ended now, the Patriots would be first on the clock in April at Lambeau Field.
With that in mind, New England should be scouting top prospects, including Colorado’s versatile wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter.
Hunter, a Heisman contender, has been outstanding on both offense and defense for Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes. Over eight games, he’s caught 60 passes for 757 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding 21 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
Hunter recently discussed potential NFL jersey numbers and, since he wears No. 12 at Colorado, noted he’d need a new number if he joined the Patriots.
“What if I go to the Patriots?” he said on The Travis Hunter Show on YouTube. “I’m not gonna wear Tom Brady’s number. That jersey has too much legacy. I respect Tom Brady too much.”
Brady’s No. 12 was retired by the Patriots this offseason, and given owner Robert Kraft’s respect for the seven-time champion, Hunter likely wouldn’t get the option to wear it.
However, Hunter said that if he ended up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he’d gladly take No. 12.
“I can wear No. 12 there,” Hunter said. “He didn’t spend (20) years there. I’m wearing 12 there.”
Interestingly, Hunter also mentioned that if No. 12 isn’t available, he would consider No. 40, a number retired by New England in honor of Hall of Fame cornerback Mike Haynes.
