Trevor Lawrence didn’t have to wait long for Travis Hunter to flash what made Jacksonville move up for him in the 2025 NFL Draft.
On a deep throw to the right side during Day 4 of Jaguars training camp, Lawrence let it fly toward Hunter, who was working in single coverage against rookie undrafted free agent and former Colorado teammate Preston Hodge. Hodge stayed attached to him stride for stride, but Hunter still managed to twist his body at the last second and haul in the pass for a big gain. It was Hunter’s third standout play of the day, and the sharpest of the bunch.
“The deep reception was awesome to see. It's great getting back out there with the guys,” offensive coordinator Grant Udinski said after practice. “He has such an infectious energy that it affects not just the receivers, probably the offensive line, coaches and everybody out there.”
Hunter said earlier in camp that he was still trying to shake off rust after missing nine months because of an injury to his right knee, and Thursday’s work suggested he’s making progress. Before the long catch, he found a soft spot in Jacksonville’s defense on another reception and made defenders miss after the grab.
He also made his presence felt on the other side of the ball. Hunter picked off Nick Mullens after breaking away from his assignment and jumping the route, another reminder that his two-way workload is already producing the kind of moments Jacksonville hoped to see.
His snap count is building as camp goes on. According to the Times-Union’s tracking, Hunter has logged 22 offensive snaps and 34 defensive snaps in 11-on-11 work, along with five offensive snaps and seven defensive snaps in 7-on-7. That puts him at 27 snaps on offense and 41 on defense overall.
Through those reps, Hunter has caught three passes, broken up three and intercepted one.
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Travis Hunters Jaguars Role Is Creating A Big Camp Debate
Travis Hunters first training camp with the Jaguars has already turned into one of the teams most watched storylines, and not just because of the hype that followed him into Jacksonville. During the fifth practice of camp, he was on the field for 13 snaps in 11-on-11 work, again dividing his time between defense and offense as the staff continued to sort out how his unique skill set fits into the plan.
Through camp, Hunter has logged 69 snaps in team periods, with most of that work coming at cornerback, though he has also lined up at wide receiver. Jacksonville has made clear it wants him to lean more heavily toward defense this season while still keeping him involved on offense, and the exact mix could change depending on the matchup, which only adds to the intrigue around how the Jaguars will deploy one of their most unusual young players. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Fans Need Patience With One Early Camp Concern
Five practices into training camp, the Jaguars are still doing the sort of work that usually matters more in September than in July. Liam Coen has made it clear the offensive line and the run game are central priorities, and the early focus has been on cleaner blocking techniques and the kind of repetition that helps an offense build timing and trust up front. So far, the returns in the running game have been uneven, but that is hardly unusual this early in the process.
Coen has also stressed patience, and that is probably the right message for a team trying to reshape how it plays in the trenches. The Jaguars are not looking for a finished product yet, only signs that the coaching points are starting to take hold before the season opener. For now, the camp concern is real enough to watch, but not nearly far enough along to draw any firm conclusions. [Read more 🡒]
Travis Hunter Is Giving Jaguars Fans A Real Reason To Dream
Travis Hunter has given Jaguars training camp a jolt by showing up on both sides of the ball, and the early returns have matched the buzz. With Jacksonville now in full pads and fewer 7-on-7 periods to sort through, Hunter has still found ways to make an impression, spending more time on defense overall while flashing the kind of instincts that made him such a rare prospect in the first place.
He has already logged two passes defensed and an interception on defense, along with one catch on offense during the preseason, a small sample that still hints at how the Jaguars might use him. For a team trying to build something bigger than a camp storyline, the real intrigue is how far this two-way workload can go once the practices get more physical and the reps become harder to come by. [Read more 🡒]