Jacksonville Jaguars' Liam Coen on what he's seen from Travis Hunter at cornerback

USA Today

3 days ago

Jacksonville Jaguars' Liam Coen on what he's seen from Travis Hunter at cornerback Throughout OTAs, what has Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Liam Coen seen from Travis Hunter at the cornerback position?
Throughout OTAs, what has Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Liam Coen seen from Travis Hunter at the cornerback position?
The Jaguars held their seventh OTA practice on Monday, and based on what Coen has said previously, along with some practice highlights, we know that Hunter has spent at least two of those practices at cornerback.
This was to be expected with Coen and James Gladstone mentioning after the draft that, early on, Hunter would see more snaps at wide receiver.
"Milo (secondary coach Ron Milus) came up to me after practice and said, 'Can we have him more?'" Coen said after Monday's practice. "That's a good thing. We were in the red area last Friday, and he didn't end up making any plays on the ball, but just the movement skills in some of the man coverages, the feel in zone, you can definitely see how natural it is for him."
With his abilities at wide receiver as well, Hunter brings impressive ball skills to the cornerback position, and also a unique perspective with playing on offense as well.
During his Heisman season in 2024, he was stingy in coverage, allowing a completion rate of only 56% and while only being targeted 41 times on the year, he still managed to come away with four interceptions and seven pass breakups, according to PFF.
While Hunter has spent more time at wide receiver on the practice field, he's been in the defensive meeting rooms and learning the playbook and terminology since he arrived in Jacksonville.
"Still learning, still growing, still trying to learn the calls as much as possible," Coen added, "but when you see him on the actual 7-on and team setting, he doesn't look out of place by any means."
Coen also mentioned last week that for the time being, Hunter will spend the entirety of practices on either the offensive or defensive side of the ball, depending on the day, but in-season, there will be practices where he plays both sides.