

Travis Hunter doesn’t want to be just a rookie standout. He wants to be a unicorn.
Three days into Jacksonville Jaguars training camp, the former Colorado star is slowly being molded into what the NFL hasn’t seen in over half a century: a legitimate two-way player. Not just in a few special packages. Full-time…And he’s all in.
Travis Hunter’s wife suffers in a TikTok video while a religious speech is heard in the background
Rather than bouncing between cornerback and wide receiver throughout practice, the Jaguars are easing Hunter in with a day-by-day rotation – offense on one day, defense the next. It’s a strategic decision, not a flashy one, but Hunter says it’s exactly what he needs.
“I’ve got to know what I’m doing right away if things shift on either side,” he said to ESPN Friday. “So starting slow, locking in on one thing at a time – I think it’ll all come together,”
It’s not the physical part – it’s the mental side that’s the real test
Head coach Liam Coen agrees. While Hunter eventually will practice on both sides of the ball in a single session, the Jaguars are prioritizing his ability to absorb two entire playbooks – and think in two different football languages – before they crank up the intensity.“It’s actually harder on us coaches to coordinate it all,” Coen said. “But he’s handled it like a pro. He’s got the right mindset.”
Hunter, who made headlines for his Ironman-like snaps under Deion Sanders at Colorado, is used to high-pressure roles. But even he admits the NFL version is a whole different beast. “You’ve got two playbooks, two sets of terminology, and different responsibilities every day,” he said.“It’s a grind mentally.”
During Friday’s 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 sessions, Hunter was on the field for 23 snaps on defense. He shadowed rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at one point, though quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Nick Mullens never tested him directly. Still, Hunter saw it as valuable experience.“I need more reps,” he said. “I want to stay on the field and keep learning.”
Even on offense-heavy days, Hunter doesn’t take a break – he uses special teams periods to work with defensive coaches, and vice versa. It’s a full-time commitment to being a part-time player on two sides of the ball.
If he pulls it off, Hunter won’t just make history. He’ll redefine what’s possible in today’s hyper-specialized NFL. And he’ll do it without making a big deal out of it. “I just want to do my job,” he said. “Wherever that is.”
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