Travis Hunter made it crystal clear before the NFL Draft that he wants to play both ways, and any team that picked him had to be on board with that. It wasn’t just a preference; it was a demand.
So far, the Jacksonville Jaguars are embracing that vision. Hunter has been making huge strides as a wide receiver, showcasing the same explosiveness and playmaking ability he had in college.
While his offensive impact is drawing plenty of attention, fans have also been curious about his status on defense. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has now addressed the situation, revealing whether the team is also developing Hunter as a defensive asset this season.
The Jaguars Drafted Hunter For His Two-Way Impact
The Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the league by trading up to the No. 2 pick to draft Travis Hunter, a dynamic two-way star from Colorado. Their decision was driven by a clear need for a playmaker at both wide receiver and cornerback roles, where Hunter excels.
The Jaguars viewed him not just as the best player in the draft, but as a franchise-altering talent with the potential to reshape the sport itself. Hunter’s rare ability to dominate on both sides of the ball made him a perfect fit for their bold vision.
Some teams saw him primarily as a cornerback, others as a receiver, but the Jaguars embraced his full potential, drafting him with the intention of unleashing both skill sets.
Hunter Focuses on Offense in Early Practices
During rookie minicamp and the first two open OTA practices, Travis Hunter was only seen taking reps at wide receiver.
The Jaguars made a deliberate decision to start their transition to the NFL by focusing solely on the offensive side of the ball.
Head coach Liam Coen explained that the team wanted Hunter to clean up specific details and build confidence as a receiver before introducing defensive responsibilities.
“We wanted to be able to clean up some of the things that we may have missed yesterday, get extra reps on the offensive side,” said Coen.
Jacksonville’s goal was to see Hunter make meaningful strides at wide receiver before evaluating him at cornerback.
Coen Speaks on Hunter’s Defensive Development
After the first day of OTAs wrapped up, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was asked whether Travis Hunter was taking any reps on defense. Coen didn’t confirm any live defensive reps but highlighted Hunter’s steady progress. “He’s still learning. He’s been learning a ton defensively and offensively, as we know,” Coen said.
The focus during those sessions was on individual skills rather than team drills. “But that was more so fundamentals, techniques. It wasn’t a ton of 11-on-11, 7-on-7. It was more fundamentals, techniques, communication.”
Coen also noted that Hunter is putting in additional time to learn the defense: “He’s been learning with those guys and meet with them extra as he’s needed to.”
Coen Reacts to Hunter’s Viral Moment
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was asked about the viral video of Travis Hunter walking up to a high school player to practice with him, and his response showed genuine admiration.
“That’s pretty cool to hear,” Coen said. He continued by highlighting how the moment reflected Hunter’s personality: “That’s pretty cool. It’s in alignment with who he is, you know.”
Coen explained that this kind of gesture is typical for Hunter, both on and off the field. “That’s who he is, kind of out here. I’m sure he goes up to some coaches and people on the field that he may not even have had many interactions with and gives him a fist bump, or you know, a high five, and that’s just who he is.”
As the Jaguars continue evaluating Hunter’s development, his character, effort, and rare two-way talent remain impossible to overlook.
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