As soon as upon a time, Travis Hunter’s grandmother signed him up for soccer. On Sunday, she stood as a witness to the fruits of her endeavor.
The previous second-overall decide and present NFL unicorn made his debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars within the crew’s 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Pregame, Hunter embraced along with his household and his grandmother who decided that will find yourself reshaping the Jaguars as a corporation and soccer as an entire. What a fateful day that was, nevertheless a few years in the past.
Bounce forward to 2025, the WR/CB performed each offense and protection in his first common season recreation, however way more offense than the tackling aspect of the ball.
Hunter began on offense and performed 42 snaps, catching a team-high six passes for 33 yards. Defensively, Hunter performed simply six snaps largely in zone appears to be like as an additional man.
By doing so, Hunter turned the primary NFL participant during the last 20 seasons to play 5 or extra defensive snaps and catch 5 or extra passes in single recreation, setting the primary of what tasks to be many information for Hunter and his crew.
“I used to be simply excited and able to exit and win with my crew and produce the power,” Hunter stated postgame Sunday. “I attempt to deliver the power, deliver the fellows up and keep true to ourselves.”
As was the case through the preseason, Hunter didn’t essentially mild the world on fireplace along with his play. It was a pedestrian day by second-overall decide requirements, particularly given the 68-yard day eighth-overall decide Tet McMillian had for the Panthers.
Hunter’s greatest contribution was in all probability his amped up sideline power. For instance, his infectious smile and character have been on full show throughout Brian Thomas Jr.’s dashing rating. If all Hunter must do is smile and wave for his crew to attain and finally win, that’s good with him.
“I simply go on the market and be myself,” Hunter stated. “My job is to deliver the power and do my job.”
Each Jags fan is aware of Hunter can play extra. Hunter is aware of that. His grandmother is aware of that. It was really the offensive scheme of the Panthers which noticed the previous Heisman trophy winner restricted on protection. However that’s going to vary because the season goes alongside, in response to head coach Liam Coen.
“That was recreation one,” Coen stated postgame. “There have been a whole lot of totally different protection adjustments with their formations, changes. It was rather less for him this recreation. It’s going to solely proceed to evolve. I can solely see it going and increasing from right here.”
Whereas it might not have been Hunter’s direct affect, the protection as an entire stymied the Panthers at virtually each flip, snagging a pair of picks and forcing a fumble to go together with two turnovers on downs. That truth was no shock to the rookie from Colorado.
“We do this daily in follow, simply fly round,” Hunter stated. “The large emphasis is to get to the ball. Ideas and overthrows, we get these. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
The often overjoyed Hunter, donning his new-look buzz lower, wasn’t annoyed along with his play time or lack thereof. He wasn’t subtweeting the crew afterwards or taking his frustrations out with the media. He obtained a win in his first recreation and that was sufficient.
“I simply go on the market once they name my title,” Hunter stated. “We went on the market and gained. My first recreation was a dub. That was thrilling for me.”
Offensively, the Jags gashed Carolina for 200 yards on the bottom. Seeing that play out excited the younger unicorn participant, as operating the ball tends to drive extra man coverages, which permit for extra touches for receivers.
If his first recreation was any indication, there are in all probability extra five-plus catch video games in Hunter’s future.
“I did my job. That was the primary focus,” Hunter stated. “I did what they requested me to do. I do know I can do extra, I do know I can do higher.”
The one actual blemish on Hunter’s debut Sunday was he didn’t play extra. He was the focused receiver on Jaycee Horn’s miraculous one-handed interception as effectively, which momentarily made even somebody like Hunter appear regular.
Nonetheless, Hunter is as particular because it will get. Nobody is requested to play soccer fairly like Hunter. He’ll solely be requested to play an increasing number of because the weeks go on.
And all have Hunter’s grandmother to thank for that.