Travis Hunter impresses Jaguars DB coach with ‘levitating’ snag
Jacksonville Jaguars secondary coach shares his first impressions of two-way player Travis Hunter during the team’s assistant coach roundtable Thursday
Jacksonville Jaguars’ second-overall pick Travis Hunter is impressing coaches with his two-way play potential.Hunter aims to play both wide receiver and cornerback full-time, a feat not achieved in the modern NFL era.Jaguars secondary coach Ron Milus is eager to work with Hunter and believes he can succeed in this unique role.
It didn’t take long for Travis Hunter to leave a lasting impression on Jacksonville Jaguars secondary coach Ron Milus. No, the two-way player and second-overall pick showed off his skills right away and hasn’t looked back.
Hunter is determined to be the first modern-era player to achieve the unreachable feat of playing on both sides of the ball on a full-time basis. It’s what he did in high school, what he did in college and what Milus thinks he can do in the pros.
As Hunter continues to work through learning two playbooks — a wide receiver on offense, and a cornerback on defense — Milus can’t get enough of his star pupil.
“Milo [Secondary Coach Ron Milus] came up to me after practice and said, ‘Can we have him more?’” Coen shared with a laugh on Monday, shortly after the team’s seventh Organized Team Activity of the offseason.
The Jaguars have thrown Hunter on defense every three practices — OTA Nos. 3, 6 and 9 — and Milus had no problem corroborating the story that he wants to keep coaching up Hunter.
“Anytime there’s a new toy in the building, you want to play with the toy,” Milus said with a smile Thursday. “And so he’s a guy that he’s got the ability to do what he’s done at the college level [and] I think he can do that here when it’s all said and done.”
Hunter showcased his ball skills early, like a wide receiver, Milus conceded, on the defensive side of the ball. His interception during the team’s sixth OTA of the offseason was something to remember.
“I mean, that’s what he is, 50/50 balls… maybe not quite 50/50, it may be tilted toward him. I think there’s something to be said for that. He’s got great hand-eye coordination and body control, and he’s able to make those kinds of plays in college. Normally, what happens? You do it in high school, you do it in college, you’ll bring that skillset to this level,” Milus remarked.
In college at Colorado, Hunter played 2,625 snaps, leading all FBS players over the last two years. He played 709 offensive snaps and 713 defensive snaps last year, averaging 118 snaps per game. It’s something that hasn’t been done before at the college level and he’s looking to take that skill to the pros.
Ron Milus believes Jaguars, Travis Hunter could be trailblazers
While many debate whether Hunter will be able to accomplish a feat that hasn’t been done since Chuck Bednarik from 1949 to 1962, the Jaguars aren’t as skeptical.
“Obviously, it’s unique. At the end of the day, we’re kind of trailblazers, and I think it’s going to work out. We’re going to find a nice blend between what he does on offense and then what he can bring on the defensive side of the ball. We don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like yet, but by the time we get through training camp, we’ll have a better feeling,” Milus remarked.
Some players potentially could have done what Hunter set out to do. Players like Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders all had two-way ability. Sanders did some of that for Dallas years ago, but no one has done what Hunter is attempting.
Hunter’s prospects are more promising, though, considering his volume over the last two years at Colorado.
“We’ve decided that, ‘OK, this guy’s done it at the college level. I mean, [he] literally played 100-plus snaps per game, and we’re gonna give him an opportunity to see if he can do it at this level too. He’s a good player, he’s a good person. He’s made of the right things. So, I don’t think it’s going to be too big for the kid,” said Milus.
Hunter has operated primarily in learning the team’s offense, something that’s more expansive than the defense. Still, he’s learning some of the defense, and participates intently in meetings with Milus, oftentimes quizzing the rookie two-way player on what a signal or defensive call may be.
But, if first impressions mean anything, Hunter ought to be in a good spot with one of his multiple position coaches.
“I think we were in ball drills, and there was a ball that went up in the air, and it felt like he was kind of levitating, running on air,” Milus said of his first impressions of Hunter. “I don’t know if you guys have seen the clip, because that looks different. Athletic ability, you guys can all see that part of it. As long as he’s willing to put in the time, I think it’s all going to work out for the kid.”
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
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