Travis Hunter has never blended in, and he’s not about to start now.
The former Colorado Buffaloes two-way Heisman winner is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about rookies in the NFL, not just because of his talent, but because of his energy. And right now, that energy is causing some division among Jacksonville Jaguars fans.
Clips from Jaguars OTAs have made the rounds on social media, showing Hunter dancing during warmups, joking with teammates, and being—well, himself. In the same videos, fellow rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is seen locked in and serious, laser-focused through drills.
The reaction from fans? Mixed, at best.
“This was cool for a little bit, but you can tell BTJ wants him to lock in,” one fan wrote.
“Don’t bring that Colorado energy to Jacksonville,” another added.
Jaguars staff isn’t concerned
Inside the facility, there’s no such concern. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence have both praised Hunter’s approach and physical condition through OTAs.
“You can tell he’s in football shape,” Coen said. “He still meets defensively every day that he’s on offense. He’s getting a lot of the mental [reps].”
Coen emphasized the team is being smart with Hunter’s workload. The expectation is that he’ll play on both sides of the ball eventually, just as he did at Colorado. But right now, Jacksonville is prioritizing long-term sustainability over headline-grabbing practice reps.
“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.
Still, Hunter’s motor hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“He’s got a lot of juice,” Trevor Lawrence said. “He can run all day. A lot of energy. I love it.”
Dancing isn’t a distraction
To understand Hunter’s demeanor is to understand his background. At Colorado, he was known not just for his two-way brilliance, but for his relentless enthusiasm and joy for the game.
The dancing? That’s not new. It’s also not a sign of a lack of focus.
What the viral clips don’t show is the work being done off-camera: the meetings, the film study, the hours spent learning two playbooks. Hunter didn’t become the No. 1 overall recruit and a top-2 NFL pick by accident.
And yet, the “seriousness” debate is nothing new in football. It’s the same old script: smile too much, and you’re not dialed in. Show personality, and you’re a distraction.
The Brian Thomas Jr. comparison is driving most of the backlash. The LSU product is quiet, focused, and all business.
That’s his style, and it’s working for him.
But trying to pit that against Hunter’s animated demeanor ignores the fact that both players are showing up the way they perform best.
NFL locker rooms are full of different personalities.
Hunter’s been showing up, is in great shape, and learning both sides of the ball earning respect inside the building.
That should speak louder than him dancing in 10-second clips.
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