In the NFL, experiments are rareâbut when they work, they can reshape the future of a franchise. Thatâs exactly what the Jacksonville Jaguars are attempting with Travis Hunter. The rookie first-round pick is turning heads on both sides of the ball. Drafted for his unique ability to play cornerback and wide receiver, Hunter entered training camp carrying expectations few players ever face. Now, as Week One against the Carolina Panthers approaches, the story isnât just about promiseâitâs about progress. Hunter is showing steady growth that has coaches believing his two-way skill set can become a defining weapon for the Jaguars.
A Defensive Foundation Built on Growth
Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile has seen Hunterâs evolution first-hand. From the moment he arrived, the staff knew Hunterâs college résumé reflected polish, but what has impressed them most has been his work since stepping into Jacksonvilleâs system.
âA lot, I think, he was well coached in college,â Campanile said. âBut I think he has made a really big jump, a big progression from where he has started at to where he is at now. Itâs continuing to evolve. He is doing the extra, pulling double duty, so Iâm really impressed with thatâand itâs all from hard work, so itâs great to see.â
Those words highlight the most encouraging part of Hunterâs early career: heâs not leaning only on raw athleticism. Heâs pairing talent with discipline. At cornerback, that means refining footwork, anticipating routes, and staying patient when receivers try to bait him into mistakes. For a defense that faces some of the leagueâs most explosive passing attacks, a young corner who can be trusted in critical moments is invaluable.
Wide Receiver Lessons That Pay Off at Corner
Hunterâs unique background as a wide receiver is no side noteâitâs a core advantage. When asked whether his offensive reps could benefit his work at cornerback, Campanile didnât hesitate.
âYes, for sure,â Campanile said. âThereâs just so much carryover, you know what I mean? Thereâs so much you learn.â
Travis Hunter understands how receivers disguise breaks in their routes, how leverage can be manipulated, and how timing creates separation. That insider knowledge, now flipped to defense, gives him a sense of anticipation few rookies possess. When Jacksonville does give him offensive reps, that same perspective sharpens his ability to run crisp routes and exploit defenders who lack his two-way insight.
Preparing for the Stage
With the Panthers looming in Week One, Hunterâs development couldnât be more timely. Jacksonvilleâs coaching staff values versatility, and Hunter embodies it. He may not play every snap on defense, but even limited opportunities for a team seeking to build a faster, more flexible identity fit perfectly.
The Long View
Travis Hunter is not a finished product, and no one inside the Jaguarsâ building expects him to be. What excites them is the trajectory. From film study to conditioning, from cornerback technique to offensive polish, Hunter has shown heâs willing to embrace the grind. As Campanile emphasized, his rise is the result of effort, not shortcuts.
The NFL hasnât seen a consistent two-way player in decades. If Jacksonvilleâs experiment with Hunter succeeds, they may have found something rare: a weapon capable of shifting games from both sides of the ball. His story is still being written, but the opening chapters make one thing clearâthis experiment is no gimmick. Itâs real, itâs evolving, and it just might change the Jaguarsâ future
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post The Two-Way Experiment Taking Shape in Jacksonville Week 1 appeared first on Heavy Sports.