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Travis Hunter gets defensive at Jacksonville Jaguars OTAs beginning Monday: What to know
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- Travis Hunter gets defensive at Jacksonville Jaguars OTAs beginning Monday: What to know
The time has arrived for fans to get a peek at Travis Hunter on the defensive side of the ball.
The NFL schedule was released May 14 , and now Organized Team Activities begin Monday, May 19, for the Jacksonville Jaguars , and their prized No. 2 overall pick will begin his quest of being the first regular two-way player in the NFL in six decades.
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Hunter took part in receiver drills during rookie minicamp from May 9-11, but coaches assured fans and media he'd get his time on the defensive side of the ball once OTAs began.
MORE ON TRAVIS HUNTER: Is he exceeding expectations already? Jaguars' Tony Boselli explains why
Head coach Liam Coen made that clear last week after rookie minicamp .
"He'll be able to get integrated (during OTAs) on the defensive side of the ball," Coen said. "We just kind of ended up making a decision that, from (May 10 and 11), we wanted to be able to clean up some of the things that we may have been able to miss, get extra reps on the offensive side of the ball, and (at OTAs), he'll start to roll on defense."
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At Colorado, Hunter totaled 66 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 16 pass breakups. He won the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation's top defensive player.
He, of course, also won the Heisman Trophy , given to the best overall player in college football.
Hunter showcased a preview of his impressive offensive skills during rookie minicamp.
"He ran a route where his shoe came off and it didn't quite affect him. Made a great catch," Coen said. "It's more just his presence and the energy he does provide both in the classroom, in the meeting rooms and also out here on the field."
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Trevor Lawrence returns to the field
Aside from Hunter, fans will be interested in seeing how much Trevor Lawrence will do during OTAs.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence talks with offensive coordinator Grant Udinski at voluntary minicamp in April, 2025.
Lawrence had shoulder surgery to repair an AC joint sprain on his left, non-throwing shoulder on Dec. 17, 2024.
How much he might be throwing remains a mystery heading into OTAs, but the Jaguars addressed his protection during the offseason.
In addition to returning starters Anton Harrison , Ezra Cleveland and Walker Little , the team signed two starters on the offensive line in free agency — Patrick Meklari and Robert Hainsey — in addition to two depth players — Chuma Edoga and Fred Johnson .
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The Jaguars also addressed the offensive line with two selections during the draft, once in the third round (OL Wyatt Milum ) and again in the seventh round (C Jonah Monheim ).
"How do we make Trevor Lawrence and this offense as dynamic and explosive as we can be? We've got to build it around him as well. We've got to make every part of this about improvement, and he will be a part of that process," Coen said just days after the NFL Draft.
Lawrence began working out with vice president of player health and performance Jeff Ferguson and his personal quarterback trainer Will Wynkoop in March.
When Lawrence spoke to the media in early April, he said there was no timetable for when he'd be full speed again when throwing or handing off the football.
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"There's not really a set deadline on it just because we don't play a game until this fall, so obviously I'm going to be ready sooner than that, so I'm optimistic," Lawrence said April 9. "I'll be perfectly good for the season. But, as far as just right now, I think just kind of pacing ourselves as OTAs go and working myself up to where I'm in shape as far as throwing."
The team, under its new head coach Coen and new general manager James Gladstone, will be installing a brand-new system and offense around the fifth-year signal-caller.
"We're diving into his footwork," Coen said during NFL Owners meetings ealier this year. "Everything with the quarterback position, so much is built on the lower half and the mind. And those are the things that we can truly control."
Now, time will tell.
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Other players to watch
The Jaguars were busy in free agency, signing 10 free agents in March. They've added other free agents since.
The main focus was on the offensive line, as mentioned earlier, as well as on defense.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray are among the top defensive players signed.
On offense, wide receiver Dyami Brown was brought in to add another skilled option alongside Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr.
Just last week, the team added former Buffalo Bills tight end, Quintin Morris .
The team parted ways this offseason with WR Christian Kirk , WR Gabe Davis and TE Evan Engram , among others, meaning Lawrence will have a new crop of players to work with.
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They also selected nine players in the draft. They included:
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Round 1 (No. 2 overall) - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
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Round 3 (88) - Caleb Ransaw, DB, Tulane
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Round 3 (89) - Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
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Round 4 (104) - Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
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Round 4 (107) - Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
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Round 6 (194) - Jalen McLeod, EDGE, Auburn
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Round 6 (200) - Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy
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Round 7 (221) - Jonah Monheim, OL, USC
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Round 7 (236) - LeQuint Allen Jr., RB, Syracuse
The rebuild is in full swing, and it rolls on Monday, May 19.
OTAs schedule
Following Monday's first day of OTAs, the schedule is as follows:
May 21-22, May 27, May 29-30 and June 2-5.
A mandatory minicamp will follow June 10-12.
Follow jacksonville.com/jaguars for all the latest as OTAs roll on.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars OTAs begin on Monday: Travis Hunter on defense
