Travis Hunter finally stepped onto an NFL field Saturday night as the Jacksonville Jaguars took on the Pittsburgh Steelers in their preseason opener. The rookie, who became one of the most talked-about players in the 2025 draft, wasted no time showing fans exactly why Jacksonville drafted him.
Early action on offense
Hunter began the game with the starting offense, lining up opposite Brian Thomas Jr. as a primary target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. While Thomas hauled in Lawrence’s first throw of the night, Hunter quickly made his presence felt. He led the Jaguars’ first drive in both receptions and targets, snagging two passes, including one that set up a 41-yard field goal.
Shifting to the defensive side
After a brief rest, Hunter returned in a different role, cornerback for the second defensive unit. He played five snaps in coverage, though one missed tackle on rookie running back Kaleb Johnson kept him from a flawless debut. Even so, the quick punt that followed ended Pittsburgh’s drive without damage.
Snap count and takeaways
Hunter logged 11 snaps on offense and five on defense. The Jaguars made it clear they plan to test him at both wide receiver and cornerback, just as he did in college. Still, his smoother transition appears to be on offense, where his speed and route running can shine immediately.
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Jacksonville’s coaching staff seems comfortable giving Hunter a two-way role, but for now, his best chance to make a quick impact could be catching passes rather than breaking them up.
Next up for the Jaguars is a game at the Saints on August 17. They will finish the preseason on August 23rd against the Dolphins. The regular season opener is slated for September 7 at home against the Carolina Panthers.
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