Travis Hunter Shocks College Football: Two-Way Superstar’s Highlight-Reel Plays Ignite Viral Frenzy

Travis Hunter’s long-anticipated NFL debut took a tangible step forward Tuesday when the Jacksonville Jaguars released their first unofficial 2025 depth chart, listing the rookie sensation as a starting wide receiver and a backup cornerback. The reveal confirms what coach Liam Coen and GM Trent Baalke have hinted at for months: Hunter will continue to be one of pro football’s rare two-way players—a role that could reshape Jacksonville’s offense, defense, and special-teams rotations. Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner out of Colorado, lined up for 38 snaps in last weekend’s closed-door scrimmage—17 with the starting offense and 21 with the first-team defense—showcasing the same dynamic versatility that made him a collegiate icon. According to the coaching staff, the plan is to cap his total workload at roughly 60 snaps per game early in the season, with flexibility to surge in key moments. Why Jacksonville Is Going All-In on a Two-Way Rookie • Immediate Impact: With veteran wideout Christian Kirk recovering from knee surgery, Hunter’s route-running and after-catch burst give quarterback Trevor Lawrence a field-tilting threat opposite Brian Thomas Jr. • Depth at CB: Former first-rounder Tyson Campbell holds the starting boundary corner spot, allowing Hunter to rotate in situationally without overwhelming his snap count. • Scheme Fit: Coordinator Ryan Nielsen intends to use more press-man coverage, an approach that leverages Hunter’s ball skills and 4.38 speed. • Marketing & Momentum: Jacksonville has four prime-time games slated for 2025; Hunter’s star power boosts national visibility and ticket demand. Coach Coen on Managing Hunter’s Workload “We’re not chasing novelty—we’re chasing wins,” Coen told reporters. “If that means Travis plays 40 snaps some weeks and 70 on others, we’ll do what puts us in the best position to win both sides of the ball.” The Jaguars will monitor GPS data and recovery metrics daily, a process Coen compared to the NBA’s load-management model. Expectations for Week 1 vs. Houston Texans • Offense: Look for Hunter in bunch formations and jet-motion looks designed to isolate him on linebackers. • Defense: Expect third-down sub-packages where Hunter shadows Texans slot receiver Tank Dell, whose quick-hitting routes mirror the assignments Hunter excelled at in college. • Special Teams: Though listed as an emergency returner, Hunter has been fielding punts in practice; a decision on his Week 1 special-teams role will come after the preseason finale. Historical Context If Hunter logs 500+ offensive snaps and 200+ defensive snaps, he would join, and likely surpass, the small fraternity of modern two-way NFL contributors that includes Deion Sanders and Patrick Peterson in cameo roles. No player has earned both Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year votes in the same season; oddsmakers have already cut Hunter’s lines for each award in half since the depth chart dropped. Fantasy & Betting Angle Hunter’s dual eligibility (WR/DB) in several major fantasy platforms could create unprecedented roster flexibility. Draft-season ADP has rocketed from the mid-10th round to the late 7th in best-ball formats since Monday. Sportsbooks list his combined touchdowns (receiving + defensive) over/under at 8.5. What’s Next The Jaguars travel to Miami on Saturday for their second preseason game, where insiders expect Hunter to play the entire first quarter on offense and sprinkle in two defensive series. Should he flash again, Jacksonville may expand his snap ceiling sooner than planned. Bottom Line Travis Hunter isn’t just battling for a starting job—he’s challenging the conventional boundaries of NFL positional play. If the Jaguars can strike the right balance, Hunter’s two-way experiment could be the league’s most compelling storyline of the 2025 season and a potential blueprint for the next generation of hybrid superstars.