Travis Hunter's absurd play at OTAs showcases why Jaguars traded multiple draft picks to take him
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars dealt four picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 5 to No. 2 and take cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. He's already showing the gamble may pay off.
On Tuesday, the team's X account posted a clip of 2024 Heisman winner Hunter showcasing his impressive skills while covering rookie wide receiver Darius Lassiter at OTAs. On the play, the DB blanketed the WR before tipping a pass and intercepting it with one hand.
No wonder Jacksonville's defensive coaches want to spend more time with the two-way star. In his Monday news conference, new Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Jaguars secondary coach Ron Milus asked, "Can we have him more?"
"You can definitely see how natural it is for him," Coen said of Hunter playing corner. "[He's] still learning, still growing, still trying to learn the calls as much as possible. But when you see him just in the actual seven on and team setting, he doesn't look out of place by any means."
The Jaguars are letting the former Colorado Buffaloes star continue to play both ways. How they'll divide his workload remains to be seen. Regardless, Hunter could help improve a secondary that ranked last in the NFL in passing yards allowed (257.4) last season.
During the 2024 season, he intercepted four passes and defended 11 in 13 games. Plus, Hunter — listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds — has prototypical size for a lockdown corner.
The Jaguars need Hunter to provide a spark after going 4-13 last season and missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season. They should take the highlight-worthy play at OTAs as a great sign.
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