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Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter is all business as he continues young NFL career
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- Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter is all business as he continues young NFL career
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter continues to take the field by storm as one of the most talked-about players on the roster.
After several Organized Team Activities and a practice during mandatory minicamp, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is impressed, and has been more impressed by the support Hunter has around him with the assistant coaches.
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"He just has a wealth of talent, and he's a super intelligent guy, which makes it really fun. He's really quick on the uptake. So, he's a fun guy to coach, to be around. I know his position coaches love coaching him," Campanile said Wednesday, shortly after the second day of mandatory minicamp.
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Hunter has worked extensively in one-on-one situations with his various position coaches on both sides of the ball. During rookie minicamp, Hunter was seen spending a lot of time with wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett. That's continued on the defensive side of the ball.
"It's pretty impressive to watch a guy do that. I think it's really... It's cool. It's been really fun. But I also think coaches, [secondary] coach Milus, [assistant defensive backs coach] Drew Lascari and [defensive backs coach] Anthony Perkins, those guys have done a great job just getting him up to speed and everything. He's done a great job responding to it," said Campanile.
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On Tuesday, Hunter practiced with the defense and spent the first couple of periods with Milus , working on technique.
To Hunter, it was work, something he's not making a big deal out of. Hunter has been even-keeled since being drafted by the team with the second-overall pick. While everyone has made a big deal out of his ability to play on both sides or his work ethic, this is something that he's done since college, some since high school.
"It's been great," Hunter said about working through an offseason in the NFL on both sides of the ball. "I've been doing it my whole life, so nothing changed."
Asked about the differences between the NFL and college in terms of what he needs to learn, he responded similarly.
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"Really no difference. Just got to stay in the playbook and apply it to the field," said Hunter.
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For the most part, Hunter has shone when on the field. As expected, he looks more natural at corner than at receiver, but to the naked eye without much context, he looks like he certainly belongs.
"Yeah, just kind of my point before, I think it really takes a sharp person to do that. He's just blessed with a lot of intelligence and maturity. So it is. It's impressive to watch for sure," Campanile said.
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Travis Hunter isn't worried about Madden ratings
Hunter hasn't been shy in the past about what he thinks of himself and what he thinks his Madden rating should be as the game's first two-way player, operating at a high level as a cornerback and as a receiver.
Joking with former NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco on EA Madden Cast, Hunter made it known how highly he thinks of himself.
"If I ain't an 85 or above, we're going to have to one vs. one for the [Heisman] Trophy back there. When I beat him, I get the 99," Hunter told Ochocinco last year.
Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images
Hunter said Wednesday that he wouldn't bet against himself in that situation.
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"I believe in myself, so I know I'd be able to cover him," he said.
Still, he's not worried about his Madden rating at this time. He said he has more important things to care about. Specifically, his job.
"That's a Madden rating. That's it," Hunter said when asked about the rating.
"I'm not worried about a Madden rating right now. I'm worried about playing football," Hunter added with a straight face.
No matter where Hunter ranks in Madden , his play on the gridiron will be what drives him and what will dictate how good a player he is. That'll begin in September.
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Travis Hunter keeps personal life to himself, denies buying a house recently
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) hauls in a pass during a drill during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp Tuesday June 10, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
In recent days, Hunter has been in the news for something beyond football.
Hunter's reported latest purchase — a house — has had its specs and general location published by numerous outlets, rejecting the typical courtesy given to athletes, even in the open-record state of Florida.
Hunter did not react to the report, but did deny buying a house when asked about the situation on Wednesday. He appeared aggravated by the questions.
"I didn't buy a house yet," Hunter said. When asked about the report that he looked at 16 houses in one day, he said, "No, that's not true."
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Hunter's demeanor and general mode of operation when speaking with the media thus far have been all business. While he's serious on the field, he also likes to have fun. He's enjoying being a Jaguar.
"Just being able to come out here and play with my brothers," said Hunter.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter denies house rumors, focused on progression with Jaguars
