Football team Jaguars to deploy Travis Hunter in wide receiver and cornerback positions, throwing him into starting lineup against Steelers.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Two-Way Phenom Travis Hunter Shines in Preseason Opener
The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off their preseason with a promising display from their versatile rookie, Travis Hunter. In a two-way role, Hunter showcased his ability to contribute on both offense and defense, playing a total of 18 snaps in the team's opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Head coach Liam Coen, who made his debut as a head coach with the Jaguars, announced Hunter's two-way status on Thursday. Coen, who was hired on Jan 24 to replace Doug Pederson, sees value in utilizing Hunter's unique skill set, having been an elite two-way player at Colorado, playing over 100 snaps per game as both wide receiver and cornerback.
Hunter's impactful highlight in the preseason opener was catching his first NFL reception from Trevor Lawrence, signaling promising offensive production alongside his defensive duties. The coaching staff appears to be experimenting with his usage to find a sustainable way to get him snaps without overtaxing him given the physical demands of two-way play in the NFL.
Coen also mentioned that the starters will play in the game, the number of series they play being an in-game decision. This decision was swayed by conversations with center Robert Hainsey and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whom Coen values the opinions of more than his own on a daily basis.
The Jaguars' coaching decisions show an effort to leverage Hunter's rare two-way talent, while cautiously managing his workload to maintain health over the preseason and regular season. The team, which finished with a record of 22-29 in three seasons under Pederson, reaching the playoffs once, will open the season at home against the Carolina Panthers on Sept 7.
Travis Hunter has expressed his desire to line up at both wide receiver and cornerback since being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jaguars will play everybody in their preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, providing an opportunity for the team to evaluate their roster ahead of the regular season.
[1] ESPN
[2] CBS Sports
[3] Sports Illustrated
[4] NFL.com
[5] USA Today
[1] ESPN analysts laud Travis Hunter's performance in the Jacksonville Jaguars' preseason opener, predicting the two-way phenom to help the team win games in NFL football this season.
[2] CBS Sports highlights coach Liam Coen's innovative decision to draft Travis Hunter as a two-way player, believing this will be a game-changer for the Jaguars in the upcoming NFL season.
[3] Sports Illustrated analyzes the potential impact of Travis Hunter on NFL teams and American Football, considering the quarterback will carry the weight of high expectations playing in multiple positions.
[4] NFL.com emphasizes the Jaguars' unique strategy in their bid to reach the playoffs this season, given their reliance on Travis Hunter as both a receiver and cornerback during games.
[5] USA Today speculates on trades and roster moves as the NFL draft approaches, specifying teams eyeing young quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and the versatile Travis Hunter's impact on their futures.
