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Why Travis Hunter should play both ways in NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars say he's 'special'
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- Why Travis Hunter should play both ways in NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars say he's 'special'
Anthony Campanile isn't new to sharing players.
The first-year defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars cited his time coaching on the high school and collegiate level, as well as the pros, when asked about having to share rookie Travis Hunter .
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The Jaguars are planning to play him on both sides of the ball and head coach Liam Coen revealed Hunter practiced with Jacksonville's defense for the first time during the third organized team activity.
However, he was back practicing with the offense during OTA No. 4 — where he's spent most of his on-field time since being drafted.
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"He's a special guy because he's really, really a bright guy," Campanile told reporters after the conclusion of the practice. "I know you guys have gotten the opportunity to meet him. All the coaches, everybody's been really impressed with his ability to retain the information."
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According to Coen, the day spent with Jacksonville's defense wasn't to gauge his defensive skills, or his 11-on-11 capabilities or anything like that.
It was for teaching him the basics of Campanile's defense and allowing him the opportunity to show what he's learned in the classroom, on the field.
Travis Hunter spends extra time meeting with Jaguars defensive coaches
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) walks to his lane during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Though Hunter hasn't practiced with the defense during an open to media practice, he's spending time behind-the-scenes in the classroom and in meetings with the defense.
Hunter is doing something no other NFL player currently is: He's learning two playbooks at once.
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It's a difficult task, but his coaches have credited him for putting in the proper effort needed to be successful.
"He's done a great job with that," Campanile said. "I can't imagine another guy being any better suited to handle that. Travis is certainly suited to do that."
Hunter has seen success at every level while starring on both sides of the ball. In high school, he was the highest ranked player in his class.In college, he won the Heisman and a host of other awards on both sides of the ball.
Now, he'll try to find that same level of success on a professional level.
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"He's done a great job with [Secondary Coach Ron Milus] and [Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Drew Lascari], a couple of the other coaches on staff, just spending time," Campanile said. "He's doing extra every day, so I have a ton of respect for everything he's done to this point."
How much Hunter will actually play on defense will remain to be seen. But the Jaguars have a plan.
And they're executing it at their own pace.
"It's been going very well to this point," Campanile said. "We're excited to keep [the plan] moving throughout the course of the preseason and regular season."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Inside Travis Hunter's quest to play offense and defense for Jaguars
