One play. That’s all it took to remind us that Travis Hunter is special.
During Tuesday’s OTA session in Jacksonville, the No. 2 overall pick out of Colorado made his first on-camera interception as a pro, jumping a route on fellow rookie Darius Lassiter and snagging a clean pick.
It was classic Hunter as it looked smooth, instinctive, and electric.
After running routes and catching passes with the offense earlier this week, Hunter lined up with the defense Tuesday—and wasted no time making an impact.
For the Jaguars coaching staff, it confirmed what they’ve been seeing behind the scenes.
One Day Offense, One Day Defense
Inside the Jaguars’ facility, there’s no panic. No questions. No second-guessing.
The coaching staff know exactly what they have in Hunter—and more importantly, how they plan to use him.
Head coach Liam Coen revealed the Jaguars are alternating Hunter’s days: offense one day, defense the next. No switching mid-practice. No overwhelming his mental reps. This is a long-term vision, which makes a lot of sense.
“It would probably be unfair to put him out on the grass and do both and ask him to go do that and see success,” Coen said last week.
That approach makes sense. You don’t invest a top-2 pick into a player without building a foundation. The workload management is development. And so far, it’s working.
Just ask defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
“He’s spending extra time every day. I have a ton of respect for everything he’s done to this point,” Campanile said following Monday's practice.
The Jaguars don’t view Hunter as a novelty act. They view him as the future cornerstone.
The Energy Debate
If you’ve been on X lately, you’ve seen the video of Hunter dancing during warmups, cracking jokes, bringing energy. It’s the same Travis we saw at Colorado. And that’s sparked some criticism among Jaguars fans who are used to a different vibe.
“Don’t bring that Colorado energy to Jacksonville,” one fan wrote.
Others compared him to rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr., who’s taken on a quieter, business-first approach to his debut camp.
But the Jaguars locker room? They’re not bothered.
“He’s got a lot of juice,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “He can run all day. A lot of energy. I love it.”
The truth is, Hunter’s personality has always been part of his game. His enthusiasm isn’t a distraction. The interception today proves that he doesn’t need to tone it down. He needs to keep being himself.
He's Just Getting Started
Tuesday’s interception was proof. Proof that the plan to use him will work. Proof that Hunter’s instincts translate, even at NFL speed. Proof that, despite outside noise, the Jaguars’ coaching staff are building him into a serious pro.
Come preseason, the plan is to ease him into live reps, likely beginning August 9 against the Steelers. Expect a similar rotation: one day focused on offense, the next on defense, with an emphasis on mastering both without overloading Travis.
The buzz may continue. So might the criticism. But in Jacksonville, there’s no question about who Travis Hunter is and what he will become.
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