Once upon a time, Travis Hunter’s grandmother signed him up for football. On Sunday, she stood as a witness to the fruits of her endeavor.
The former second-overall pick and current NFL unicorn made his debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the team’s 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Pregame, Hunter embraced with his family and his grandmother who made a decision that may end up reshaping the Jaguars as an organization and football as a whole. What a fateful day that was, however many years
ago.
Jump ahead to 2025, the WR/CB played both offense and defense in his first regular season game, but far more offense than the tackling side of the ball.
Hunter started on offense and played 42 snaps, catching a team-high six passes for 33 yards. Defensively, Hunter played just six snaps mostly in zone looks as an extra man.
By doing so, Hunter became the first NFL player over the last 20 seasons to play five or more defensive snaps and catch five or more passes in single game, setting the first of what projects to be many records for Hunter and his team.
“I was just excited and ready to go out and win with my team and bring the energy,” Hunter said postgame Sunday. “I try to bring the energy, bring the guys up and stay true to ourselves.”
As was the case during the preseason, Hunter didn’t necessarily light the world on fire with his play. It was a pedestrian day by second-overall pick standards, especially given the 68-yard day eighth-overall pick Tet McMillian had for the Panthers.
Hunter’s biggest contribution was probably his amped up sideline energy. For example, his infectious smile and personality were on full display during Brian Thomas Jr.’s rushing score. If all Hunter needs to do is smile and wave for his team to score and eventually win, that is good with him.
“I just go out there and be myself,” Hunter said. “My job is to bring the energy and do my job.”
Every Jags fan knows Hunter can play more. Hunter knows that. His grandmother knows that. It was actually the offensive scheme of the Panthers which saw the former Heisman trophy winner limited on defense. But that is going to change as the season goes along, according to head coach Liam Coen.
“That was game one,” Coen said postgame. “There were a lot of different coverage changes with their formations, adjustments. It was a little less for him this game. It will only continue to evolve. I can only see it going and expanding from here.”
While it may not have been Hunter’s direct impact, the defense as a whole stymied the Panthers at almost every turn, snagging a pair of picks and forcing a fumble to go along with two turnovers on downs. That fact was no surprise to the rookie from Colorado.
“We do that every day in practice, just fly around,” Hunter said. “The big emphasis is to get to the ball. Tips and overthrows, we get those. That is what we have been doing.”
The usually overjoyed Hunter, donning his new-look buzz cut, wasn’t frustrated with his play time or lack thereof. He wasn’t subtweeting the team afterwards or taking his frustrations out with the media. He got a win in his first game and that was enough.
“I just go out there when they call my name,” Hunter said. “We went out there and won. My first game was a dub. That was exciting for me.”
Offensively, the Jags gashed Carolina for 200 yards on the ground. Seeing that play out excited the young unicorn player, as running the ball tends to force more man coverages, which allow for more touches for receivers.
If his first game was any inclination, there are probably more five-plus catch games in Hunter’s future.
“I did my job. That was the main focus,” Hunter said. “I did what they asked me to do. I know I can do more, I know I can do better.”
The only real blemish on Hunter’s debut Sunday was he didn’t play more. He was the targeted receiver on Jaycee Horn’s miraculous one-handed interception as well, which momentarily made even someone like Hunter seem normal.
However, Hunter is as special as it gets. No one is asked to play football quite like Hunter. He will only be asked to play more and more as the weeks go on.
And all have Hunter’s grandmother to thank for that.
