Jaguars GM outlines crucial reason to trade up for sport-altering Travis Hunter

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't hesitate to trade up to No. 2 to draft Travis Hunter. Although the price was a bit steep, they didn't want to pass on the chance to land a game-changer, but just how good is the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner that the Jags didn't hesitate to move up for him? General manager James Gladstone shared the team's reasoning for the franchise's altering move.

The Jaguars' brass met with the local media and touched on several topics. One of them was what prompted the team to move up from No. 5 to acquire Hunter. Gladstone said that the former Colorado Buffalo is a generational player, pointing out that he's got the potential to change the football landscape.

"I think there's a lot of layers to that. I'll try to touch on a few things. First and foremost, we mentioned the idea that a trademark of this leadership group when there's an opportunity to be bold, we're not going to flinch. I think this is a reflection of that," Gladstone responded when asked what was so valuable about Hunter that made the Jags trade up for him. "In the same lens, you've heard us mention the idea of adding people who are intangibly rich. And Travis, in fact, as a player, is rare, but as a person, he's also rare."

Gladstone continued, "And beyond that, when we say that the idea of inviting people into our ecosystem who, by being nothing more than who they are, elevate the space, is the epitome of what Travis is. And we're not going to ask him to be any more than him, because by doing so, he elevates not only this football team, not only this city, but the sport itself. Along the way, you can
count however many drafts you want to: There are players who have the capacity
to alter a game. There are players who have the capacity to alter the trajectory of a team. There are very few players who have the capacity to alter the trajectory of the sport itself."

"Travis, while he has a lot to still earn, in our eyes, has the potential to do just that, and so it's an exciting step for us to take, and obviously a lot of work to be done, because while Travis's dream is now reality, he's still dreaming in a different way than most do. He prepares in a different way than most do. But now it's time to bring it to life."

For context, the Jags gave up their second-round pick this year, their first rounder in 2025, and swap a couple of Day 3 picks to move up to No. 2. Based on Gladstone's comments, the organization doesn't think it was too much.

Many analysts seem to agree. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave the trade his seal of approval because he thinks Hunter is a playmaker. Similarly, colleague Cody Benjamin argued that it's not often that you get the chance to draft a two-way player who excels at both positions. Below is Gladstone's exchange with the media. His remarks about the West Palm Beach native start at the 3:25 mark.

Sports-altering Travis Hunter is ready to make an impact for the Jaguars

Travis Hunter is well aware of the expectations that come with being called a sports-altering player. However, he's unfazed by them. He also met with the press corps after Day 1 of the draft and said that while he recognizes the immense effort the Jaguars made to acquire him, he's just going to be himself.

However you look at it, that's the best approach to take. He surely feels the weight of expectations, but knows that he only thing he can do is go play. The fact that he loves football and is ready to learn the playbook and Liam Coen's system just one day after going to Jacksonville shows the Jags made the rigth pick.

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