Hunter Shines on Offense in Jaguars Scrimmage
Rookie Two-Way Star Makes Impact Ahead of Season Debut
Rookie Travis Hunter showcased his offensive prowess during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Friday night scrimmage, impressing coach Liam Coen with his dual-threat capabilities. Hunter logged significant snaps on both sides of the ball, marking a key moment in his camp performance.
Hunter’s Dual-Threat Debut Praised
Hunter participated in 38 total plays, with 17 on offense and 21 on defense, during the team’s practice in front of 11,000 fans. This marked the first time this training camp he operated as both a receiver and a defensive back.
“I thought it was great. We got him the work that we wanted to get with him on offense early on and then able to get him on defense and get him enough reps. That was what we were hoping to do tonight in terms of just get him on both sides of the ball, quality work. I know he didn’t get much [action at cornerback] because the [first-team] D-line was getting a good rush, so it was a little hard to see.”
—Liam Coen, Jaguars Coach
On the offensive side, Hunter proved dynamic, catching three passes for 43 yards. One notable reception was a 21-yard gain that moved the offense into scoring position. He also drew a target in the end zone.
“I thought when he had the ball in his hands [on offense] and he operated, he operated at a high level.”
—Liam Coen, Jaguars Coach
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s performance was also lauded by Coen. Lawrence completed 19 of 27 passes for 241 yards, throwing three touchdowns and one interception. He connected with second-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr. twice for scores, with Thomas Jr. recording six receptions for 65 yards.
Lawrence Leads Offense Effectively
Lawrence‘s touchdown passes included a 5-yard strike to tight end Brenton Strange in the final moments of the scrimmage. His lone interception occurred on a deep pass intended for Parker Washington, which was secured by cornerback Zechariah McPhearson.
“Pretty cool [with the ball in his hands] in space, isn’t he?”
—Liam Coen, Jaguars Coach
In the NFL, players who excel on both offense and defense are rare. For instance, in 2024, only a handful of players logged significant snaps at multiple positions, highlighting the unique skill set of players like Hunter (Source: Pro Football Focus, 2025).
Coen emphasized that the pass behind Hunter and Lawrence‘s interception were the only notable miscues in an otherwise strong showing from the quarterback.
“I thought he was making sharp, fast decisions. The ball was getting driven constantly. He missed a few for sure. But I just thought [other than those two throws] he made good, sharp decisions. I thought he ran the show well. I thought it was a good night for him.”
—Liam Coen, Jaguars Coach
The Jaguars’ coaching staff appears pleased with Hunter‘s integration into the team’s schemes, with his offensive contributions particularly standing out in this early scrimmage.
