NFL’s Second Overall Pick Will Finally Get His Chance to Shine in Camp
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected two-way player Travis Hunter out of Colorado to boost the struggling offensive performance heading into the season. Hunter, a stellar athlete who plays wide receiver and cornerback, has split his snaps evenly between the defensive and offensive practices with the team. On Monday, Hunter practiced only offensive snaps and had two catches after being on defense the last two practices. Following practice, head coach Liam Coen announced to the media that Travis Hunter will play both sides of the ball in the Jaguars’ scrimmage Friday night at EverBank Stadium. This will mark the first time Hunter has played both sides in a game all camp.
Travis Hunter excelled on both sides of the ball during his tenure at Jackson State and as a Colorado Buffalo, both under head coach and NFL Hall of Fame cornerback inductee Deion Sanders. At the end of his college career, Hunter finished with 171 receptions for 2,167 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Defensively, Travis Hunter had nine interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, 22 pass deflections, and one forced fumble on top of 58 tackles. Hunter was also the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner as a junior, marking the first time a two-way player won the Heisman Trophy since Michigan defensive back and occasional wide receiver Charles Woodson in 1997.
After Travis Hunter’s impressive start to camp on both sides of the ball, he looks to translate his success in college as a two-way player into the NFL. Although many see this as a challenge, the Jacksonville Jaguars have put all their faith in the 22-year-old standout from West Palm Beach, Florida. The Jaguars ended up trading with the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft to snag the once-in-a-lifetime talent with the number two selection. Ironically, the Browns would later select Travis Hunter’s good friend and former teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, in the fifth round. Hunter joins a growing wide receiver corps in Jacksonville with sophomore phenom Brian Thomas Jr., free agent signee Dyami Brown, and third-year veteran Parker Washington.
Only time will tell whether Hunter will be able to succeed as a two-way athlete in one of the most brutally physical leagues in the world. Hunter learned from one of the best two-way athletes, Deion Sanders, as his head coach in college, building the foundation for unlimited potential. Along with trust from head coach Liam Coen and a healthy quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, it will be up to Travis Hunter to make his dreams a reality. Only time will tell for the once-in-a-lifetime football talent.
