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Michael DiRocco
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rookie Travis Hunter danced his means via 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 number of dance strikes earlier than apply … and throughout apply. It was proof of Hunter’s unbridled vitality coupled along with his love for soccer.
“It has been a variety of enjoyable,” offensive coordinator Grant Udinski mentioned. “I am positive you guys see it, him out right here. The dancing at apply, the enjoyable, the love of the sport. That is one of many cool issues about not simply him however all the blokes we introduced in, they’re guys that love soccer.
“It makes our job a variety 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 vitality and keenness for the sport or ardour for being round their teammates that they convey each day.”
There may be nonetheless some uncertainty about simply how a lot the twin receiver and cornerback might be taking part in on each 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 each 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 problem of what Hunter and the Jaguars try to perform. And Hunter is aware of there are going to be loads of errors alongside the way in which — he will run the flawed route, drop a move, get caught out of place in protection, or miss a sort out.
However he will meet the problem the one means he is aware of how: whereas having a very good time.
“I deliver the juice each day,” Hunter mentioned. “[I’ve] at all times obtained a smile on my face, making everybody chortle once I get the possibility. Been enjoyable, having enjoyable and simply being youngsters out right here, loving it and dwelling our dream.”
Alongside along with his relentless vitality, the expertise that Hunter possesses was additionally amongst a few of the largest takeaways that Hunter’s Jaguars teammates and coaches had in regards to the Heisman Trophy winner. Here’s what they advised ESPN.
What are your preliminary impressions of Travis Hunter on the sphere?
Receiver Dyami Brown: “Oh man, utterly sincere. ‘Boy, you dance rather a lot.’ Nicely, nah, nah, that is simply him being him and I really like that he will at all times be himself and he needs to be higher on the finish of the day. He asks a variety of questions, and he needs to grasp, so I admire that.”
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence: “He has a variety of juice. He can run all day, has a variety of vitality. I adore it, good vitality. He’s at all times dapping guys up, simply bringing juice each day. 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 truly got here out right here for after 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 may’ve gotten a drill flawed 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 could be.”
Proper guard Patrick Mekari: “The man has vitality and it is genuine vitality. I believe 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 transferring. He loves what he is doing, and he brings good juice to the sphere.”
Operating again Travis Etienne Jr.: “I really feel like his vitality is simply very contagious. That was my first preliminary thought, simply man, simply what he do to have that sort of vitality? 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 will do his dance. And that is what I really like about him.”
Defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins: “As you are going via the draft course of, you have obtained a reasonably good concept of who he’s as a participant … fluid athlete, obtained a fantastic burst, simply tremendous athletic, nice physique management, super ball expertise. … After which once you begin plugging him in on protection at nook, despite the fact that he does not know the whole lot, you see all these traits that you simply anticipate to see begin to present up. And so it has been thrilling. Like I mentioned, I am fired up that we get to have him, we get to make use of him.”
Operating backs coach Chad Morton: “He is actually good. And I can not fathom him taking part in 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 skill to retain the data. He is completed 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 actually suited to try this. … He is completed a fantastic job with Coach [Ron] Milus and Coach [Drew] Lascari, a few the opposite coaches on workers, simply spending time. He is doing additional each day, so I’ve a ton of respect for the whole lot he is completed up to now.”
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 grasp how you can do it on offense and protection. I consider he can get it completed.”
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’ve got been in a position to join a few instances. He’s solely going to maintain getting higher and higher.”
Quarterbacks coach Spencer Whipple: “I believe simply his athleticism and his really feel. … His ball expertise are noticeable immediately. However I assumed one of many issues that separated him, that made him such a premier participant was simply his understanding of the sport and the sphere round him and how you can maneuver across the discipline to make these performs. That is each offensively and defensively. So super athlete. However his ability to play the sport of soccer, I believe is one thing that you’ve got seen immediately as quickly as you bought on the sphere.”
Secondary coach Ron Milus: “Once we had been in ball expertise 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 in the event you guys have seen the clip. Nicely, I am like, ‘OK, that appears totally different.’ So his athletic skill, you guys can all see that a part of it. And so long as he is keen to place within the time, I believe it is all going to work out for the child.”
Receivers coach Edgar Bennett: “I really like his vitality. … All of us want every and everyone had that sort of vitality 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 once you obtained a man like that, coachable, needs to do it the precise 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 believe he is bodily grown. … We had the burden room targets and accomplishments this spring, and he was up there with a few of 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 believe we’ll see just a little bit extra of a bounce as soon as we get into coaching camp as nicely.”
Lawrence: “He is grown rather a lot. There’s rather a lot, clearly, being thrown on him. Being a excessive choose, taking part in each methods. I can perceive being drafted excessive and the expectations, however I did not play each methods. That is one other world. I believe he is completed 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 season. We plan on getting collectively fairly a bit and throwing, getting some timing down, but additionally simply speaking via the system. I’ve no issues about him. I am actually excited simply to see him proceed to get higher. He’s a particular participant on each 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 profit 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 type of guys who does not even know the place he may take it. And that is simply nice as a result of he is out right here making an attempt to be taught to get higher every day and that is solely going to arrange him to be a fantastic professional.”
