We are actually three video games into the Travis Hunter Experiment, trademark pending.
Anybody who has been alongside for this experience has seen the ups and downs simply three video games into the extremely uncommon job of getting the previous Heisman winner to play either side of the soccer professionally. Sunday’s 17-10 win was one more step into seeing it play out the best way all of us need, not less than defensively.
Hunter performed 43 defensive snaps to his 37 offensive snaps over the weekend, the second consecutive sport the place he has performed extra as a nook than as a receiver.
Beginning with simply the stats defensively, Hunter performed high quality. He was second among the many defensive backs in tackles with a career-high six. However corners are paid to not accumulate stats, which Hunter did an honest job of towards good receivers.
Beneath, you will note Hunter matched up one-on-one with former Jags receiver Christian Kirk. As Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud rolls out of the pocket and is trying Kirk’s means, Hunter is blanketing him towards the sideline and helps power a Stroud scramble.
On this second clip, you see Hunter learn a play within the backfield and are available as much as make a sort out on a operating again. Lengthy gone are the times the place his dimension was a possible dealbreaker and he was getting his head pushed into the dust within the preseason!
This final clip is perhaps his finest work, the place he stays within the pocket of Nico Collins for Collins’ whole route. Collins has a pair inches and about 30 kilos on Hunter, however Hunter is ready to preserve Collins mainly out of the play and helps power a discipline aim strive. In a sport determined by a landing, performs like this that don’t present up on the field rating matter rather a lot.
General, there’s a lot to be impressed with from Hunter in his third sport. Corners aren’t purported to earn massive stats, except it’s one thing like move breakups or picks. In protection, whereas taking part in a variety of zone, Hunter allowed 4 catches for 48 yards.
Up to now, as a rotational participant, Hunter hasn’t been requested to do a lot so his lack of manufacturing might appear to be an absence of ability. Watching his clips from Sunday would present one thing fully completely different.
There’s a query to be requested about whether or not the Jags are recouping worth from Hunter primarily based on his draft slot and what they gave as much as get him. However the dude has performed in simply three video games.
Offensively, Hunter has left rather a lot to be desired.
In his first sport, he caught six balls on eight targets. Each his catches and targets have gone down within the two ensuing video games, together with catching only one move on Sunday.
To Hunter’s credit score, his one catch for 21 yards was spectacular nevertheless it simply isn’t a variety of affect, particularly coupled with the very fact the remainder of the move catchers are struggling.
Hunter’s catch was his career-high for yardage, nevertheless it was on a brief dump off move. On one hand, you possibly can credit score Hunter for going and getting 18 yards. Then again, you possibly can most likely be a bit upset that he’s getting used solely in screens or quick passes.
Very like Hunter the nook, Hunter the receiver remains to be a piece in progress professionally. He has carried out a poor job getting set presnap and has had his personal points with drops.
Broad receiver Dyami Brown’s standing for Sunday’s sport on the San Francisco 49ers is up within the air at the moment. Each Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington have struggled in latest weeks. Hunter may doubtlessly assist fill Brown’s void or spark some life into this offense. Or perhaps not.
The 49ers this 12 months have allowed scores of 13 factors, 21 factors and 15 factors, all in wins. It’s going to take everybody on the Jags to go throughout the nation and defeat a foe they by no means have in 5 straight tries.
And it’ll nearly definitely take all of Hunter to win, all two sides of him.