Rarely has there been a rookie to enter the NFL with as much hype as Travis Hunter. That's for good reason, because rarely has there been a player like Travis Hunter. The Colorado Heisman Trophy winner is a throwback superstar. He's a true two-way talent, just as capable of being an elite, playmaking WR as he is a shutdown cornerback.
The Jaguars have a lot of faith in Hunter's ability to be a game-changer for the franchise. They gave up a ton to move up to the No. 2 pick and select Hunter in April's draft. They clearly expect him to be a transcendent talent, and early returns in Training Camp point toward that being the truth.
If you expected Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen to throw cool water on the hype train, well, think again. In an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Monday, Coen instead tossed gasoline onto the fire, turning it into a raging inferno.
Liam Coen thinks it's possible Travis Hunter could win Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year
Coen waxes poetically about Hunter for over nine minutes. Near the end of the interview, however, Eisen poses a question that will surely be the topic of many Monday morning water-cooler talks once the NFL season kicks off. Eisen asked if Coen thinks it's possible that Hunter could win both offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year awards.
"I do think it's possible," Coen said. "He's committed, man. He's committed to driving, not just himself, but his teammates as well"
If you were curious - no, that's never happened before. Hunter is truly an enigma, one who will be entering uncharted territory once he takes he field for the first time as a professional. He won't be the first NFL player to take snaps on both sides of the ball, but he will be the first of the modern era to do so consistently. The expectation is that he will be a full-time starter at both WR and CB for the Jaguars.
Coen went on to talk about how Jaguars veterans aren't taking it easy on Hunter just because of his pedigree and the fact that he was the No. 2 overall pick. They are testing him every day. And every day, Hunter has answered the bell.
Of course, anyone who knows anything about Hunter shouldn't be surprised. What makes him so special is the fact that he combines being truly a one-of-one athlete with one-of-one work ethic. He doesn't hope he can get by on talent alone. Instead, he works harder than anyone, which is what is going to make him a superstar in the NFL.