Jacksonville Jaguars’ Dynamic Plan for Travis Hunter: A Balancing Act of Talent and Strategy

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Dynamic Plan for Travis Hunter: A Balancing Act of Talent and Strategy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars are embarking on an exciting journey with their new acquisition, Travis Hunter. While they have a preliminary plan for how they want to utilize this versatile player, they’re keeping things flexible. The ultimate goal? To replicate the magic Hunter showcased during his time at Colorado.

In a recent news conference, Jaguars’ first-year head coach Liam Coen emphasized the importance of adaptability. “We have to be fluid,” Coen stated. “We have it laid out. But we also have to have the ability to be agile and be fluid on specific days. If we don’t feel like he got enough work on one side of the ball the previous day, then we need to be able to move forward and get him those reps the next day.”

Coen, along with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, are all aligned in their vision for Hunter. “We want it to look like what it looked like at Colorado, and that would be pretty good for us,” Coen added.

And why wouldn’t they? Hunter’s 2024 season at Colorado was nothing short of spectacular. With 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions on defense, all while averaging 113.9 snaps per game, Hunter’s performance was one for the NCAA history books.

The Jaguars’ strategy involves starting Hunter on offense and providing him with a defensive package. However, the exact breakdown of his snaps—whether it’s 45 on each side, 75% offense and 25% defense, or another configuration—remains undecided. This decision will hinge on several factors, including how quickly Hunter can learn both the offense and defense, his conditioning, and his weekly recovery.

Preliminary discussions with the athletic training staff, equipment staff, and nutritionists have taken place, but the Jaguars are adopting a wait-and-see approach. Determining Hunter’s weekly rest needs, especially if he approaches triple-digit snaps, will be a complex task.

Jaguars general manager James Gladstone acknowledged the intricacies involved. “There’s a lot of layers to that,” he said. “Certainly, we have to operate within all measures in compliance with league mandates, but at the same time, yeah, there’s a certain level of recovery and preparation in order to take on the workload that he’s about to sort of take on.”

Hunter himself is eager to play both ways and aspires to be on the field for every snap in every game. The Jaguars’ decision to trade up from No. 5 to No. 2 to draft him underscores their belief in his potential. On Friday, Gladstone described the move as a statement for the franchise, following his earlier assertion that Hunter has the ability to alter the sport.

Hunter is motivated by the Jaguars’ investment in him, which included trading a second- and fourth-round pick this year and next year’s first-round pick. “It’s definitely a lot of motivation,” Hunter said. “They sacrificed a lot to get me. That means they believe in me. That just validates that I need to go ahead and just do my job.”

As for the possibility of being a franchise-altering player, Hunter remains focused on his responsibilities. “I’m going to come out and do my job,” he said. “I’m not going to say I’m going to change anything. I don’t want to set the expectation too high. I’m just going to come in and do my job, and hopefully we change the atmosphere.”

Hunter’s journey with the Jaguars is just beginning, and fans are eagerly anticipating how this dynamic player will impact the team on both sides of the ball.

• Travis Hunter’s 2024 stats: 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
• Average snaps per game at Colorado: 113.9
• Jaguars’ trade details: Moved from No. 5 to No. 2, traded a second- and fourth-round pick this year and next year’s first-round pick