The Jacksonville Jaguars and their fans have high hopes for versatile rookie Travis Hunter this coming season. The former Colorado Buffaloes star gives them the option to use him as an explosive receiver or a defensive presence in the secondary.
So far, the Jaguars have allowed Hunter to go through minicamp with the team on both sides of the ball. Ahead of training camp and the NFL season, his usage remains a question mark.
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone spoke to Andrew Siciliano on Sirius XM NFL Radio interview and praised the rookie's abilities. Gladstone also answered questions about how the team might incorporate him into the gameplan.
He said that the timetable for rookies to develop after entering the NFL is limited. He then explained the team's expectations for developing Hunter during training camp.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter (12).
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter (12).
Travis Register-Imagn Images
"Our understanding is that Travis is most naturally comfortable, most naturally in-tune on the defensive side of the ball. We want to load him offensively throughout this window [for development]," Gladstone said.
He also said there's been a misconception when it comes to "wide receiver first, corner second" for the No. 2 pick at the NFL Draft. It's been more about having Hunter learn the receiver part first through camps, before "continuing to trickle in more defense" for him.
When asked, Gladstone indicated "time will truly tell" for how many offensive or defensive snaps Hunter will get each game.
"Certain game plans might dictate usage differently,” he said. “Putting a number on it at this stage is premature.”
At Colorado, Hunter excelled on both sides of the ball en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. Many expect he'll also succeed in the NFL, becoming the first player to participate heavily on offense and defense since Chuck Bednarik.
He played with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 through 1962, contributing as a linebacker and center. Known as "Concrete Charlie," he only missed three games in his lengthy career.
A two-time NFL champion and eight-time Pro-Bowler, Bednarik was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.