JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rookie Travis Hunter danced his means by way of the conclusion of the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason program this week.
There isn’t any scarcity of clips on social media of the Jaguars’ No. 2 choose ripping off a couple of dance strikes earlier than follow … and through follow. It was proof of Hunter’s unbridled power coupled along with his love for soccer.
“It has been a number of enjoyable,” offensive coordinator Grant Udinski stated. “I am positive you guys see it, him out right here. The dancing at follow, the enjoyable, the love of the sport. That is one of many cool issues about not simply him however all the fellows we introduced in, they’re guys that love soccer.
“It makes our job a number of enjoyable to get out right here on the grass with these guys. Whether or not it is on the grass or within the assembly room, it is that very same power and keenness for the sport or ardour for being round their teammates that they create daily.”
There’s nonetheless some uncertainty about simply how a lot the twin receiver and cornerback might be enjoying on either side of the ball in 2025. The Jaguars traded 4 draft picks — together with a first-rounder in 2026 — to the Cleveland Browns to maneuver up three spots and draft the previous Colorado standout figuring out he would play either side of the ball.
The truth that there hasn’t been an everyday two-way NFL participant in additional than 60 years (Philadelphia’s Chuck Bednarik from 1949 to 1962) illustrates the issue of what Hunter and the Jaguars are attempting to perform. And Hunter is aware of there are going to be loads of errors alongside the way in which — he’ll run the mistaken route, drop a cross, get caught out of place in protection, or miss a sort out.
However he’ll meet the problem the one means he is aware of how: whereas having a very good time.
“I carry the juice daily,” Hunter stated. “[I’ve] at all times bought a smile on my face, making everybody snicker once I get the prospect. Been enjoyable, having enjoyable and simply being children out right here, loving it and residing our dream.”
Alongside along with his relentless power, the expertise that Hunter possesses was additionally amongst among the largest takeaways that Hunter’s Jaguars teammates and coaches had concerning the Heisman Trophy winner. Here’s what they advised ESPN.
What are your preliminary impressions of Travis Hunter on the sector?
Receiver Dyami Brown: “Oh man, fully trustworthy. ‘Boy, you dance lots.’ Properly, nah, nah, that is simply him being him and I really like that he’ll at all times be himself and he needs to be higher on the finish of the day. He asks a number of questions, and he needs to know, so I respect that.”
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence: “He has a number of juice. He can run all day, has a number of power. I like it, good power. He’s at all times dapping guys up, simply bringing juice daily. Excessive motor, he can simply go. He is like a child; simply runs round all day, he does not get drained, it looks like. You possibly can’t have sufficient of that.”
Receiver Brian Thomas Jr.: “I really got here out right here for once they had the rookie minicamp. … I simply stepped out right here and checked out him doing the drills and stuff. It was actually simply how fast he was and the way detailed he was. When he would possibly’ve gotten a drill mistaken or one thing, and he was simply hopping again in line and going proper again at it and looking for methods to do it proper and discover methods to be the very best that he will be.”
Proper guard Patrick Mekari: “The man has power and it is genuine power. I feel that is the factor is that he is authentically himself and he likes to be out right here. He loves what he is doing and he is a hell of an athlete. Explosive. He is shifting. He loves what he is doing, and he brings good juice to the sector.”
Working again Travis Etienne Jr.: “I really feel like his power is simply very contagious. That was my first preliminary thought, simply man, simply what he do to have that sort of power? He is simply at all times round right here dancing, bouncing round. He do not care whether it is 80 levels or 100 levels, he’ll do his dance. And that is what I really like about him.”
Defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins: “As you are going by way of the draft course of, you’ve got bought a reasonably good concept of who he’s as a participant … fluid athlete, bought a fantastic burst, simply tremendous athletic, nice physique management, super ball abilities. … After which if you begin plugging him in on protection at nook, although he does not know all the things, you see all these traits that you just anticipate to see begin to present up. And so it has been thrilling. Like I stated, I am fired up that we get to have him, we get to make use of him.”
Working backs coach Chad Morton: “He is actually good. And I can not fathom him enjoying that many performs on offense and protection at a excessive stage too. Not simply doing it, however at a excessive stage like that. Yeah, he is particular man. Simply watching him transfer, it is simply simple for him. So we’re so excited to have him, and it’s a blessing that we’re in a position to get him.”
Travis Hunter is having enjoyable with the method 🫶@TravisHunterJr | @Jaguars pic.twitter.com/BK6hpUo8yL
— NFL (@NFL) June 11, 2025
What makes Hunter so good?
Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile: “Everyone’s been actually impressed along with his means to retain the knowledge. He is achieved a fantastic job with studying the [offense and defense], and I can not think about one other man being any higher suited to deal with that. Travis is definitely suited to do this. … He is achieved a fantastic job with Coach [Ron] Milus and Coach [Drew] Lascari, a few the opposite coaches on workers, simply spending time. He is doing further daily, so I’ve a ton of respect for all the things he is achieved thus far.”
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis: “He is very energetic, man. He is very shifty, and when he will get the ball he can go. He is a really particular expertise. It is simply honing these issues in, particularly on the defensive finish. Simply understanding what we love to do and the totally different strategies, however he has the aptitude to know learn how to do it on offense and protection. I consider he can get it achieved.”
Lawrence: “So far as his expertise, it sort of speaks for itself. … I simply did not understand how explosive he was out and in of cuts. He is been spectacular to observe, and we now have been in a position to join a few occasions. He’s solely going to maintain getting higher and higher.”
Quarterbacks coach Spencer Whipple: “I feel simply his athleticism and his really feel. … His ball abilities are noticeable instantly. However I believed one of many issues that separated him, that made him such a premier participant was simply his understanding of the sport and the sector round him and learn how to maneuver across the discipline to make these performs. That is each offensively and defensively. So super athlete. However his talent to play the sport of soccer, I feel is one thing that you’ve got seen instantly as quickly as you bought on the sector.”
Secondary coach Ron Milus: “Once we had been in ball abilities or ball drills and there was a ball that went up within the air and it felt like he was sort of levitating and was operating on air. I do not know should you guys have seen the clip. Properly, I am like, ‘OK, that appears totally different.’ So his athletic means, you guys can all see that a part of it. And so long as he is keen to place within the time, I feel it is all going to work out for the child.”
Receivers coach Edgar Bennett: “I really like his power. … All of us want every and everyone had that kind of power as a result of it is distinctive. And that is Travis. He is particular. … And from the second he walks into the constructing, that is who he’s. … And if you bought a man like that, coachable, needs to do it the fitting means, needs to get it proper, and continues to do it till he will get it proper. I imply, these are actually particular gamers.”
How a lot has he grown over the previous two months?
Head coach Liam Coen: “I feel he is bodily grown. … We had the burden room targets and accomplishments this spring, and he was up there with among the guys who’ve placed on essentially the most muscle mass since getting right here. … You see the kind of man that he’s. He is in right here early, he stays late and desires to work. He loves the sport. The expansion will proceed. I feel we’ll see slightly bit extra of a leap as soon as we get into coaching camp as properly.”
Lawrence: “He is grown lots. There’s lots, clearly, being thrown on him. Being a excessive choose, enjoying each methods. I can perceive being drafted excessive and the expectations, however I did not play each methods. That is one other world. I feel he is achieved a fantastic job. Clearly, that is going to be a giant alternative for him throughout this break. … I am excited to spend a while with him this summer time. We plan on getting collectively fairly a bit and throwing, getting some timing down, but additionally simply speaking by way of the system. I’ve no considerations about him. I am actually excited simply to see him proceed to get higher. He’s a particular participant on either side of the ball.”
Bennett: “It is not one factor specifically. I simply love the truth that he really loves what he is doing so far as his alternative. He needs to benefit from his alternative. He needs to be the very best, and he places within the work to perform that.”
Etienne Jr.: “He is a sponge. So long as he continues to be a sponge, the sky is the restrict for him as a result of I really feel like he is a kind of guys who does not even know the place he might take it. And that is simply nice as a result of he is out right here attempting to be taught to get higher every day and that is solely going to arrange him to be a fantastic professional.”
