Travis Hunter didn’t waste any time proving he belongs in the NFL. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft has already made waves at Jacksonville Jaguars OTAs, showcasing his elite athleticism and two-way ability that helped him dominate at Colorado.
While the original plan was to use Hunter as a weapon on offense to support quarterback Trevor Lawrence, his recent defensive displays may be changing that conversation.
On Tuesday, Hunter delivered what many observers called his best showing yet. Lined up at cornerback, he shut down a deep sideline route with a perfectly timed deflection against receiver Darius Lassiter.
The clip quickly circulated online, with Bleacher Report posting it on X with the caption: “Travis Hunter making crazy play at DB.”
Whether or not the play ended in an interception hardly mattered. What stood out was Hunter’s ability to neutralize a big play – the kind of defensive stop Jacksonville has sorely lacked in recent years. His performance left teammates hyped, fans buzzing, and coaches wondering how best to deploy their rookie star.
Fefensive breakout adds new wrinkle to Jaguars’ offensive plans
Jacksonville’s defense was among the worst in the league in 2024, ranking near the bottom in total yards allowed. That’s why secondary coach Ron Milus didn’t hesitate to make his case to head coach Liam Coen: give Hunter more time on defense.
The rookie’s explosive breakups and fluid coverage skills have already elevated the intensity of practice sessions.
Hunter has been rotating between offense and defense throughout OTAs, a routine he seems to handle with ease. But now, the Jaguars must consider whether that approach truly serves the team’s long-term interests.
Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski were brought in to unlock Trevor Lawrence‘s full potential, and giving him a top-tier playmaker like Hunter was central to that mission.
However, Hunter’s growing reputation as a shutdown corner complicates that plan. As one fan bluntly posted, “That WR stuff’s not gonna pan out, lil bro. He needs to be a full-time CB.” Another added, “Every snap he plays on offense is one less snap our defense could be getting better.”
There’s truth to those sentiments. Hunter‘s college résumé was stacked on both sides – 153 receptions, nearly 2,000 yards, and 20 touchdowns, alongside 66 tackles, seven interceptions, and 16 pass deflections.
But in the NFL, where playbooks are thicker and the speed is faster, even elite rookies can struggle to master one position, let alone two.
Coaches have tried to keep both options open for now, but time may force a decision. With Week 1 approaching, every snap matters – for Hunter, for Lawrence, and for a Jaguars franchise eager to take the next step.
Whether Hunter becomes a go-to receiver or a lockdown defender, one thing is certain: the Jaguars can’t afford to get this decision wrong.
In the meantime, the rookie continues to show why he was one of the most hyped prospects in years – and why Jacksonville may be facing a good problem with no easy answer.
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