Inside Travis Hunter’s Two-Manner Juggling Act at Jaguars Camp: 'I Simply Go to Work'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As NFL rookies go, Travis Hunter is 2 of a sort.

The third apply of Jacksonville Jaguars coaching camp was Hunter’s first as a cornerback, having worn a teal jersey as a receiver for the primary two days of camp earlier than swapping it out for a white defensive jersey. Enjoying on either side of the ball is nothing new for Hunter, who did so in faculty for 3 years at Jackson State and Colorado, however he is nonetheless utterly distinctive in studying two NFL playbooks concurrently.

“It is tremendous organized,” Hunter stated after apply on a sunny Friday morning. “Coach goes over it just about each week, and I get a chunk of paper to maintain in my locker so I do know precisely the place I’ve obtained to be and what I must do.”

At Colorado, on the way in which to profitable a Heisman Trophy final season, Hunter sometimes practiced on either side of the ball day by day. The Jaguars, with extra sophisticated schemes, have him on a distinct schedule, opening camp with a deal with one facet of the ball every day in apply, constructing as much as the place he can finally deal with a few of each in the identical session.

“It is bizarre. It is most likely more durable logistically for us as coaches to navigate it and ensure we’re making use of all of his time,” first-year Jaguars coach Liam Coen stated. “It would not trouble him as a lot. He is fairly unfazed by among the stuff. … He is been nice by way of his angle and simply the way in which he approaches it.”

Travis Hunter spent his first two days of Jaguars coaching camp catching passes from Trevor Lawrence at huge receiver. (Picture by Logan Bowles/Getty Photos)

The Jaguars boldly traded two first-round picks and a second to maneuver as much as No. 2 general and draft Hunter in April, with a plan to characteristic him on either side of the ball. He had 96 catches and 15 touchdowns as a receiver final season, and his preliminary full-time function will doubtless be on offense, becoming a member of second-year professional Brian Thomas Jr. as dynamic targets for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Hunter rotated in with the second-unit protection Friday and is likely to be used extra sparingly on protection at first, in key conditions like third downs or red-zone protection.

Already within the first week of camp, the Jaguars have been capable of expertise two totally different identities — one with Hunter as a part of a loaded passing recreation on offense, one other with him contributing on protection — and get a really feel for the power he brings to their crew.

“You undoubtedly really feel it somewhat,” Coen stated. “As a result of we’re offensively, simply by nature, perhaps somewhat bit extra of a quieter group, simply usually. So when he’s over there, it is just a bit extra … I do not need to name it life. … It is simply he does have somewhat little bit of vibe round him, so it does create that on offense, brings somewhat little bit of juice, for positive.”

Hunter was actually juggling Friday earlier than apply, as he stood in a triangle on the sideline with Thomas and receiver Dyami Brown, tossing a number of tennis balls between them to work on hand-eye coordination. Hunter is constructing bonds on either side of the ball, celebrating together with his fellow receivers in a single apply and jawing with them as he covers them on routes downfield the following. That chemistry, and discovering a approach to slot in with each models on the identical time, is a vital a part of his NFL problem.

In an indication of symbolism, Hunter juggled tennis balls with Jaguars huge receivers at Friday’s apply as he labored with the cornerbacks. (Picture by Greg Auman)

“It is tremendous essential,” Hunter stated. “There’s lots of people that you may’t discuss any sort of strategy to, so it’s a must to really feel one another out, it’s a must to perceive who you are speaking to.”

Hunter stated he would not must get in earlier or keep later than different rookies, however his day is full of a cautious schedule of conferences and work to arrange him at each positions with out overwhelming him. His bodily conditioning was clear from three years of double-shifts in faculty soccer, and he stated the larger problem proper now’s the psychological one, processing performs from two totally different views, every with their very own terminology.

Hunter simply turned 22 in Could, so he is leaning on any teammates with expertise and knowledge to assist him be taught the sport shortly. He referred to as 29-year-old nook Jourdan Lewis an “outdated head” for a way a lot he is shared with him on protection, and he is put in further time away from the crew facility to construct rapport with Lawrence, who is barely 25, however coming into his fifth NFL season.

Hunter resides twin lives proper now, typically a cornerback, typically a receiver, and far of his rookie success will hinge on how properly these two paths can weave collectively to type one uncommon participant, able to altering the sport on any single snap. For now, which means with the ability to flip a change, seeing the sphere from one facet or the opposite, understanding he’ll want each on the identical time quickly.

“It is undoubtedly a flip,” Hunter stated of his two views. “It is a change that it’s a must to flip, as a result of the phrases are totally different for various performs. Completely different formations have the protection calling various things from the offense in a gathering room, however sure, once I hit the sphere, it is all the identical to me and I simply go to work.”

This can be a problem he is embraced for years, with no current precedent for an NFL participant contributing on either side of the ball on the degree Hunter could have the possibility to do. The subsequent six weeks, constructing as much as his professional debut, will not be one crash course however two, however he additionally is aware of that understanding one facet of the ball can assist him thrive on the opposite, and vice versa.

“I want to have the ability to course of every thing quick,” he stated. “I’ve to know what I am doing straight away. So I’ve to get adjusted so I do know the place I should be on one facet of the ball every day. After which it would all come collectively.”

Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade masking the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Occasions and The Athletic. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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