Travis Hunter hasn’t played down in the NFL, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the excitement. The Jacksonville Jaguars rookie is already one of the most visible young faces in football—and depending on who you ask, that’s either a blessing or a distraction.
This week, Hunter was featured in the Madden NFL 26 trailer, made a highlight-reel interception at OTAs, and became the subject of a social media debate after videos of his energetic warmup routines drew mixed reactions from Jaguars fans. Welcome to the NFL, Travis.
None of this is new. If you can remember, Travis was on the cover of EA Sports College Football 25, and we see the same player who brought Boulder to life with his electric, unapologetic swagger.
Madden moment
EA Sports didn’t hold back when introducing Travis into the Madden world. The new trailer showcases the rookie hauling in a touchdown pass before launching into a round-off back handspring and finishing with a twisting backflip.
His inclusion in the trailer is a rare nod to a rookie who hasn’t yet taken the NFL field in a real game. And it didn’t go unnoticed by former Pro Bowler and Madden ratings adjuster Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
On Madden Cast, Hunter joked, “If it ain’t an 85 and above, we can 1-v-1 for it,” motioning to his Heisman trophy in the background. Johnson laughed, offering a rookie-standard 76, and challenged Hunter to stop him on one of ten routes in exchange for a historic 90 rating.
It was all in good fun, but it also revealed just how much attention Hunter is already commanding from both the league and its fanbase.
Big plays at OTAs
Beyond the marketing, Hunter has also impressed on the field. According to team insiders and local media reports, he’s already delivered several standout moments during OTAs.
The most notable came during team drills earlier this week, when Hunter blanketed a veteran wideout on a deep sideline route, elevated for a deflection, and—still mid-air—adjusted to snag the ball for an interception.
The play made its way to social media within minutes, garnering praise from analysts and former players alike.
“He’s got a lot of juice,” said Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence last month. “He can run all day. A lot of energy. I love it.”
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen echoed those sentiments.
“You can tell he’s in football shape,” Coen said. “He’s still attending defensive meetings when he’s working on offense. He’s locked in on both sides of the ball. We’re easing him in physically, but mentally he’s sharp.”
Fan reactions
While the coaching staff seems pleased, not all Jaguars fans have embraced Hunter’s early persona.
In one viral clip from OTAs, Hunter was seen dancing through warmups and laughing with teammates. Just yards away, fellow rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. stood focused, locked in on the next drill.
Fans quickly took sides.
“BTJ looks like a pro. Hunter looks like a distraction,” one fan posted on X.
Another added, “Don’t bring that CU circus energy to Jacksonville.”
But for those who followed Hunter’s career in Boulder, the criticism feels recycled. This is a player who has always walked the line between flamboyant and focused. And time and again, he delivers when it matters most.
Travis was never going to arrive quietly. From Madden trailers to viral OTA clips, he’s already making his mark. The tape backs it up. The coaches back it up. And if history tells us anything, the results will follow.
Fans who want him to act more like a rookie might need to adjust their expectations. Hunter isn’t wired that way. He plays fast, lives loud, and works harder than most see behind the scenes.
For Jaguars fans wondering if the hype is real, take a deep breath. This is only the beginning.
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