Can Both Rookie of the Year Awards End Up in Jacksonville in 2025?
One of the more prestigious individual honors in the NFL is to take home a trophy during award season. For rookies, winning the Offensive or Defensive Rookie of the Year Award is equivalent to being considered by many the best rookie on that side of the ball. Jacksonville has quite the predicament entering 2025, having one of the most successful two-way players in a long time from college football in Travis Hunter. Hunter enters the season as the Jaguars’ second wide receiver on the depth chart behind Brian Thomas Jr., and the team’s second-string cornerback behind second-year Jarrian Jones. It has yet to be determined how Hunter’s game will translate to NFL competition, but if he is successful, it would be hard to deny him as one of the league’s most exciting rookies in years.
Hunter would be the first player in league history to win both awards, which would take the unicorn athlete to the next level. However, there is more to watch in Jacksonville than just Travis Hunter. The Jaguars selected running back Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After having a successful training camp and preseason performance, and shocking many casuals around the league, Tuten is expected to get significant playing time in the regular season. Add this to the team’s doubt in the aging Travis Etienne Jr., and Tuten could find himself as a key piece to this Jacksonville offense. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tuten climb the rookie rankings as the season progresses and his snap count increases.
Obviously, injuries to the team throughout the season can allow a rookie to get an opportunity. Sometimes, that is all a player needs to make a name for himself, just like the legendary Tom Brady did when Drew Bledsoe went down injured. This could be the case for the late-round selection of safety Rayuan Lane III out of Navy. Lane is currently the third-string safety, but with the position being one of the weakest in Jacksonville, Lane could see himself climb as the season progresses. Another name to watch is linebacker Jack Kiser out of Notre Dame. Kiser, selected in the fourth round, is currently the second-string linebacker behind veteran Foyesade Oluokun. Kiser could climb the depth chart if he makes the most of his limited snap count to start the season.
If Jacksonville can sweep the rookie awards, it could be pivotal in starting a bright future for the franchise. They wouldn’t be the first in recent memory, as the New York Jets swept the awards in 2022 with wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner. Jacksonville has a chance to make history if Travis Hunter ends up winning both, but fans shouldn’t count out the rest of Jacksonville’s rookie class from making some noise. The Jaguars' future is in good hands with this exciting rookie class, and fans should be ecstatic to see these boys play.
