Just a few days into his NFL journey, Travis Hunter is already turning heads in Jacksonville.
The former Colorado Buffaloes standout took the field for his first organized team activity (OTA) with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, and it didn’t take long for his new quarterback to take notice. Trevor Lawrence, entering his fourth season as the Jaguars' starter, offered high praise for the rookie following their early reps together.
"Ball skills, running after the catch—he’s very explosive. Just didn’t realize how explosive he was in and out of cuts. He’s impressive to watch."Trevor Lawrence on Travis Hunter
Hunter worked exclusively as a wide receiver during Monday’s OTA, though he has participated in defensive meetings and took a few reps at cornerback during the team’s rookie minicamp. Still, it was his offensive work that stood out immediately.
Lawrence noted that they had already connected on several plays during both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Though the former Buff was the intended target on one interception—a ball that sailed high—it didn’t overshadow his overall performance.
“He’s got a lot of juice,” Lawrence continued. “He can run all day. A lot of energy. I love it. Always dapping guys up, just bringing juice every day. High motor, can just go.”
Travis' competitiveness and work ethic were on display throughout his time at Colorado, and now it's carrying over into his first NFL offseason. Monday marked the first media-open OTA of the Jaguars’ offseason program, and according to multiple reports, Hunter was one of the most talked-about players on the field.
Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen is installing a new offensive system, and Lawrence said it’s a scheme that will challenge players but ultimately give them “a lot of answers.”
For Hunter, learning a new system while adapting to the speed of the NFL is a process—but his early effort has already made an impact.
The Jaguars are hoping Hunter can contribute immediately in an offense that ranked 23rd in points per game (17.9) during the 2024 season. His explosiveness and versatility could be a key piece to reviving Jacksonville’s aerial attack.
Hunter’s long-term role with the Jaguars is still being defined, especially given his unique ability to contribute on both sides of the ball. For now, he’s focused on making his mark as a receiver—and so far, the reviews from the team are good.
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