Travis Hunter, the rookie playmaker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has quite the chip on his shoulder and has taken advantage of every opportunity presented so far in training camp. Hunter’s versatility is nothing short of remarkable. While at Colorado, he proved to be a playmaker on offense and defense. As a former Heisman Trophy winner, he’s now making the leap into the NFL with tons of expectations and a load of talent behind him.
In a recent scrimmage at EverBank Stadium, Hunter showed he could turn on a dime. He ran off the field and smartly waited out one play. Then, he effortlessly cut all the way to the other sideline, displaying that dual-threat ability that has made him a five-star. Hunter’s remarkable versatility is back on display again. Note that in the second figure, when he was at Colorado, he practiced on both sides of the ball daily—in 2024 averaging an outrageous 113.9 snaps/game.
Hunter’s performance during training camp has been turning heads among his teammates and coaches. His conditioning won them over, too. They pointed to his ability to manage the daunting two-way role easily. Hunter has worked exclusively at outside cornerback during the past two weeks of training camp. At the same time, he’s made big strides with his offensive game. His philosophy fits well with the strategy of the Jaguars. They have tentative plans to ease him onto the field on offense during spring practices before slowly incorporating defensive drills.
In his few snaps in team scrimmages this fall, Hunter has turned heads. He had four receptions, totaling 43 yards in only 17 offensive snaps. Arguably, though, he made just as big an impact on defense, where he logged 21 snaps. Notably, he connected with quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a touchdown during a red zone drill, further solidifying his reputation as a playmaker.
Hunter’s confidence, which is an important part of his competitive makeup, shows in how he carries himself on and off the field. He knows the bright light he’s standing in, and he leans into it. “He’s confident in what he does. He knows the spotlight’s on him. He just goes out there and handles business,” said Jourdan Lewis, a teammate who has witnessed Hunter’s growth firsthand.
Jaguars’ coaches, too, are laudatory about Hunter’s ability to pull off best of both worlds as a player-captain-hybrid. Defensive backs coach Anthony Campanile explained, “One period, he may be with us, the next period, he’s with them. Some days, he may start on defense, then he’s working [on] offense. He’s done a really good job with that.”
Even Hunter himself admits he works very hard to combine the two jobs so successfully. “It’s like, I’m already doing all this extra work,” he stated, reflecting on his rigorous training regimen. His willingness to study the playbook has helped him master plays to the point where he can run them without thinking twice. Brian Thomas Jr., a fellow teammate, commented on Hunter’s preparation: “Just being in his playbook, learning the playbook, knowing what he has, not having to second-guess himself or think twice about what he has. That’s probably the biggest thing.
As training camp wears on, Hunter has proven to be a consistent performer. His exceptional mix of talents have fit perfectly with the Jaguars’ offensive philosophy. Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator, remarked on Hunter’s agility: “I mean, you guys saw it. Pretty cool in space, isn’t he?”
So far, Hunter remains focused on developing his skills to play both positions. There are rare exceptions in scrimmage situations, but he doesn’t go both ways in the same practice. His commitment to improving our transportation system through his grit and hard work has proven him ready to take on the larger challenges ahead.
With the Jaguars’ preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers approaching this Saturday, fans and coaches alike are eager to see Hunter’s first glimpse of action in an NFL game. The excitement is obvious as Hunter prepares to make his mark from day one.
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