Inside Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Juggling Act at Jaguars Camp: ‘I Just Go to Work’

Inside Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Juggling Act at Jaguars Camp: ‘I Just Go to Work’

Updated Jul. 25, 2025, 3:23 p.m. ET

Greg Auman, NFL Reporter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. jili free bonus new register — Travis Hunter is a standout even among NFL rookies. The third practice of the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp marked Hunter’s debut as a cornerback after he had donned a teal jersey as a receiver during the first two days. phbetbet download Switching to a white defensive jersey for day three, Hunter’s ability to play on both sides of the ball isn’t new; he showcased this skill in college at Jackson State and Colorado for three years. However, balancing two NFL playbooks simultaneously presents a unique challenge.

“It’s super organized,” Hunter shared after practice on a sunny Friday morning. “Coach goes over it pretty much every week, and I get a piece of paper to keep in my locker so I know exactly where I’ve got to be and what I need to do.”

At Colorado, where he excelled and even won a Heisman Trophy last season, Hunter usually practiced on both offense and defense daily. The Jaguars, however, utilize a more complex scheme, organizing his schedule to focus on one side of the ball each practice day, gradually allowing him to manage both roles in a single session.

“It’s an unusual setup. It can be a logistical challenge for us as coaches to manage his time effectively,” first-year Jaguars coach Liam Coen noted. “But it doesn’t faze him much. He’s had a great attitude and approach throughout.”

Travis Hunter spent his initial two days at training camp catching passes from Trevor Lawrence as a wide receiver. In April, the Jaguars made a bold move, trading two first-round picks and a second to secure the second overall pick and draft Hunter, intending to utilize him on both offense and defense. Last season, he recorded 96 catches and 15 touchdowns as a receiver, and his primary role is expected to be on offense, complementing second-year player Brian Thomas Jr. as dynamic targets for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Hunter rotated into the second-unit defense on Friday and might be used selectively on defense initially, focusing on critical situations like third downs or red-zone scenarios.

So far, during the camp’s first week, the Jaguars have enjoyed the benefits of two distinct styles — one with Hunter as part of a robust passing attack and another where he contributes defensively, providing energy to the team. “You can definitely feel it a bit,” Coen highlighted. “We tend to be a quieter offensive group, so when he’s around, it adds a different vibe and energy.”

Before practice on Friday, Hunter was literally juggling, tossing multiple tennis balls with teammates Thomas and receiver Dyami Brown to sharpen his hand-eye coordination. jonard He’s forming connections on both sides of the ball, celebrating with receivers one moment and playfully competing against them in coverage the next. This chemistry, along with the ability to integrate into both units seamlessly, is crucial to his NFL journey.

“It’s super important,” Hunter explained. “You have to feel each other out and understand who you’re talking to. There are a lot of people whom you can’t approach any type of way.”

Hunter mentioned he doesn’t need to put in extra hours compared to other rookies, but his schedule is packed with meetings and preparations for both positions without overwhelming him. His solid physical conditioning, honed through years of intense college football, is clear; however, he admits that the current challenge is primarily mental — processing plays from two distinct perspectives, each with its own terminology.

Having just turned 22 in May, Hunter is leaning on seasoned teammates for guidance as he acclimates. He referred to 29-year-old cornerback Jourdan Lewis as an “old head,” appreciating the wisdom he shares on defense. Additionally, he is spending extra time off the field to build rapport with Lawrence, who, while only 25, is embarking on his fifth NFL season.

Hunter is essentially living dual lives, switching between cornerback and receiver. The extent of his rookie success will depend on how well he manages to combine these two roles into one extraordinary player — one capable of making game-changing plays at any moment. “It’s definitely a flip,” Hunter remarked about his differing perspectives. “It’s a switch that has to be flipped, because the terms are different for various plays. ipinapakita Different formations lead to different calls in the meeting room, but when I hit the field, it all becomes the same for me, and I just go to work.”

This dual-role challenge is one Hunter has embraced wholeheartedly. The next six weeks leading up to his professional debut won’t merely be a crash course in one role, but rather two simultaneously pvl live. Yet he understands that mastering one side can facilitate success on the other.

“I need to be able to process everything quickly,” he emphasized. “I must know what I’m doing right away. So I have to adapt quickly to determine where I need to be on one side of the ball each day. In the end, it will all come together.”

What are your thoughts on Travis Hunter’s unique role with the Jaguars?