For the past several seasons, Jacksonville Jaguars fans have been on a rollercoaster of emotions. After seemingly years of being positioned as the team that’s about to ‘break through’ in the NFL, there hasn’t been much to show for it. The team’s performance declined significantly in 2024, finishing with a record of 4-13. And in the meantime, franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been roughed up, injured, and inconsistent. Enter the Jags' newest weapon: Travis Hunter.
Drafted second overall in this year's draft. the former Colorado standout is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and posted some impressive numbers in college. His stats, numbers, and figures make him one of the greatest NCAA players in history. And speaking of numbers, he also signed the highest guaranteed rookie. contract in the NFL, just in time for training camp, which will begin in a few short weeks
But for now? The only number that really matters is ‘two’ — as in the number of sides of the ball the rookie sensation will line up on. After playing both wide receiver and defensive back for the Buffaloes, many thought he would have to choose a primary position at the pro level.
Travis Hunter has already impressed the Jaguars coaching staff
That doesn’t seem to be the case, however, following a terrific performance during the team's offseason program. It looks as if the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Hunter has vowed to be on the field as much as possible, and he’s making a pretty convincing case.
While the NFL has had other two-way players before in its post-merger era, it's been typically in very rare instances. Deion Sanders famously caught some passes for the Dallas Cowboys, and before that, the (then) St. Louis Cardinals’ Roy Green would shift from wide receiver to defensive back for a series or two. But the potential of what Travis Hunter might bring could be of a much greater magnitude.
Is Travis Hunter deserving of the Shohei Ohtari comparison?
We have seen this trend in sports, where younger players are becoming ‘hybrid stars’. Perhaps there’s no better example than Major League Baseball’s Shohei Ohtani, who has become the modern-day version of a young Babe Ruth. The Dodger mega-star can literally take to the mound or the plate with equal effectiveness.
Many see those same qualities in Travis Hunter on the gridiron. And though their roles aren’t exactly similar, the overall analogy is there. The two men represent what may be the dawning of a new age in pro sports. One where we see more and more young players who can fill starkly different roles — and excel at them both at the highest levels of their chosen sport.
But before the comparison can truly be made, Jags fans (and the whole NFL) need to see what their newest star can do. Ohtani has already established himself as the premier player in Major League Baseball, while Hunter has yet to take a snap in an NFL game. Jacksonville’s Swiss-Army knife will have to score a lot of touchdowns before he can claim that mantle.
Even then, it’s still unclear just how much the rookie will play on defense. But one thing is for sure…If Travis Hunter can develop into a dual star anywhere near the caliber of Shohei Ohtani?
You better believe that Jacksonville Jaguars fans will be jumping for joy. There’s just no two ways about it.