Jaguars reveal preseason plans for two-way phenom Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter won’t have to wait long to get his first snaps on both sides of the ball at the pro level.

The Jaguars intend to use their two-way rookie phenom as a wide receiver and cornerback Saturday when the team hosts the Steelers in their preseason opener at EverBank Stadium.

Hunter — who was selected No. 2 overall by the Jaguars in April following a wild trade with the Browns on opening night of the 2025 NFL Draft — has practiced on offense and defense three times this week, according to ESPN, which noted the starters will also see on-field action Saturday.

“[Center Robert Hainsey] just came up the other day in the weight room, was just like, ‘What are we doing?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m still working on it.’ [Hainsey said], ‘We want to play.’ And [quarterback] Trevor [Lawrence] as well and some of the guys,” first-year coach Liam Coen said of his decision.

“… Trevor called me the other night, and we’ve talked about it as well on the ride home a little bit. So yeah, I appreciate that and definitely more of what you’re looking for in terms of the communication and the ability to be honest and have a real conversation and ultimately those guys have a pulse so much more for what the locker room is than I do on a daily basis. So it was good to hear from those guys.”

Jacksonville has long intended to use the reigning Heisman Trophy winner as both a defender and offensive weapon for Lawrence, now entering his fifth season.

“He is a rare player. But he is also a reminder that the boundaries of football were built to be challenged. And so the decision to select him was actually a statement. A statement for how we plan to move, who we are,” first-year general manager James Gladstone said in April.

“And we want him to be nothing more than himself. Because when he is, he elevates the space around him. From the football field to the city to the game of football itself. Travis Hunter is who we have been hunting up. Couldn’t be more jacked up to be sitting here right beside him and introduce you to the man of the hour.”

Hunter, who hails from the Sunshine State, played one collegiate season at Jackson State before following coach Deion Sanders to Colorado, suiting up for the Buffaloes in 2023 and 2024.

Shortly after being drafted by the Jaguars, Hunter married his longtime love, Leanna Lenee, in a lavish Tennessee ceremony.

The Jaguars, coming off a 4-13 season, open their 2025 campaign against the Panthers at home.