In a daring 2025 NFL Draft move, the Jaguars traded up to draft Travis Hunter. And General Manager James Gladstone made it clear: Hunter isn’t just the best player in this draft—he’s a game-changer. “There are players who have the capacity to alter the trajectory of a team… there are very few players who have the capacity to alter the trajectory of the sport itself,” stated Gladstone. So, with such high praise, it’s clear the Jaguars believe Hunter will do more than just fit in—he’ll redefine the game.

Well, the Jaguar made waves by trading up with the Browns to select Heisman Trophy winner Hunter with the 2nd overall pick. And in his recent YouTube video, ‘Travis Hunter Arrives in JACKSONVILLE!!,’ fans got an exclusive look at his first meeting with coach Liam Coen. But during the tour, the rookie dropped a bombshell, suggesting he could offer even more than his already elite skills at WR and CB. So, with a star potential that has everyone talking, Hunter’s arrival is stirring up serious excitement in Jacksonville.

On April 28th, the NFL on CBS dropped that bombshell about Travis Hunter. “You know I can play quarterback too, right? I can throw the ball, so on trick plays,” said Hunter with a grin, tossing a football to coach Liam Coen. While it remains to be seen whether Hunter will actually get the chance to show off his arm in a game — he never attempted a pass in college — the Jaguars are already strategizing on how to use their 2-way superstar. Managing Hunter’s time between offense and defense, all while keeping him healthy is set to be one of Jacksonville’s biggest challenges. So, the excitement is building — could this be the season Hunter showcases even more of his versatility?

During Friday’s press conference, coach Liam Coen made it clear that Travis Hunter’s dual-threat potential requires a flexible approach. “We have to be fluid. We have it laid out. But we also have to have the ability to be agile and be fluid on specific days,” Coen explained. Adding, “If we don’t feel like he got enough work on one side of the ball the previous day, then we need to be able to move forward and get him those reps the next day.” With such a dynamic player, flexibility will be key to making sure Hunter excels on both offense and defense. The Jaguars are ready to keep it adaptable and maximize his impact.

And here, Coach Liam Coen clarified that the coaching staff is fully aligned on how to use Travis Hunter. “Both Camp [defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile] and I, and Grant [offensive coordinator Grant Udinski], are all on the same page about, ‘Hey, how is this thing going to work? What do we want this to look like?’ We want it to look like what it looked like at Colorado, and that would be pretty good for us,” stated Coen. Let’s be real; with this clear vision in place, the Jaguars are poised to unleash Hunter in the same dynamic way that made him a star at Colorado.

In PFSN’s 2024 rankings, the Jaguars scored an Offensive+ of 72.8 (18th) and a concerning Defensive+ of 62.7 (31st). But now, with a fresh coaching staff and one of the NFL’s most dynamic talents in Travis Hunter, Jacksonville is ready to turn the page. Hunter’s arrival could be the spark they need to elevate their game and make a playoff push. Whether he’ll ever take snaps at quarterback remains to be seen, but with his versatility, the possibilities are endless.

While the Jaguars are clear about Hunter’s position, they received an upsetting verdict on the trade pick.

The concern about Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter’s uniqueness is in his ability to excel both as a WR and CB. In his collegiate career, he amassed 1,200+ receiving yards and 5 TDs while also tallying 4 interceptions as a defensive standout. His versatility and athleticism make him a rare dual-threat player in today’s game. Selecting Hunter with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is a game-changing moment for the Jacksonville Jaguars. With his talent, the Jaguars are setting their sights higher—aiming for more than just playoffs, but a championship run.

The excitement around Travis Hunter’s trade up to the Jaguars quickly turned into some concerns. On the 28th episode of The Colin Cowherd Podcast, John Middlekauff weighed in, revealing the buzz inside the NFL. He said, “I know the Jags, some of his videos go viral. You know, the NFL, you know, this is a pretty close-knit group and I think, you know, some of his comments—listen, you make a trade, you make a bold trade, no one has a problem. They can agree or disagree, but the way he described Travis Hunter, I mean, I got a text today from someone in a war room that said, ‘We, on our trade chart, they got absolutely fleeced on that trade. It wasn’t even close.’” The move, while bold, may have raised some eyebrows in NFL circles.

However, John Middlekauff didn’t hold back when discussing the Jaguars’ bold move to trade up for Travis Hunter. “Sometimes you pay a premium to move up for a quarterback,” he explained, “but when you pay that price for a player like Hunter, who’s still unproven, that’s a different gamble.” Middlekauff went on to share his own conversation with league insiders, saying, “I asked, ‘What’s one thing you really struggle with?’ And the answer was clear: ‘I have a hard time with just dumb players.'” So, his point? The NFL is a league that demands sharp minds, and picking Hunter might come with more challenges than Jacksonville bargained for.