Latest news with #rookieMinicamp
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
If Travis Hunter becomes two-way star, he must bond with Jaguars' Grant Udinski first
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has to use the most of his time with Travis Hunter. The two-way player has yet to get reps on the defensive side of the ball during practice open to media, but he's already in defensive meetings and in the classroom with his defensive coaches. Advertisement As other offensive players are solely focusing on learning one playbook, Hunter is diving into two — a challenge Udinski says the No. 2 overall pick is fully prepared to conquer. IS TRAVIS HUNTER EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS? Jaguars' Tony Boselli explains why 'He's the type of guy that because of that passion and the love of the game, who's up for the challenge and can do it,' the first-year coordinator said at the conclusion of the first organized team practice for Jacksonville. 'It's definitely different compared to the rest of the guys and his schedule. It's a unique skill set, unique person and a unique player.' Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter's love for football is apparent Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) talks to members of the media during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] The first thing Udinski said about working with Hunter is how much fun it is getting to know him. The Jaguars had minimal contact with their draft picks prior to the selecting them. Advertisement Whereas in some organizations large contingents are sent out to vet prospects, Jacksonville opted for a more lowkey approach to the draft process. They kept their desire to draft Hunter under wraps, with even Hunter admitting he didn't have a clue they were interested until the night before the draft took place. That means it's a feeling out process taking place as coaches and players get used to each other. But that process has been smooth because of Hunter's personality. "I'm sure you guys see it, him out here, the dancing at practice. The fun, the love of the game,' Udinski said. According to him, the same energy he shows on the grass he translates to meetings and in the classroom. Advertisement 'It makes our job a lot of fun to get out here on the grass with those guys,' he continued. 'Whether it's on the grass or in the meeting room, it's that same energy and passion for the game or passion for being around their teammates that they bring every day.' PUSHIN' IT: Jaguars among teams that opposed ban of 'Tush Push' per Adam Schefter Travis Hunter playing both ways will be unique challenge Hunter is doing something not many, if any, active NFL players are doing: Regularly attending meetings with offensive and defensive players. This means he has double the workload of an average player. It also means he gets half the time to spend with each position. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) can't haul in a reception during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. It's a challenge Udinski is embracing, though. Advertisement 'You're definitely going for maximum efficiency,' he said. 'You're trying to optimize the time, so it's different. It's a unique challenge, but it's a fun challenge, it's an exciting challenge.' Hunter found success at every level he's competed at. In high school he was rated as the top player in his class as a two-way player. In college, he won the Heisman as the top rated player in college football as a two-way player. Now, he's hoping to achieve the same level of success in the NFL. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter mission right now: Master Jacksonville Jaguars offense
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski talks rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders
BEREA — The first snap of the first team period of the 2025 Cleveland Browns draft class' first practice in the NFL went to the first quarterback drafted by the team two weeks earlier. That would be third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. After about a half-dozen snaps, though, the quarterback so many people showed up to Friday's first day of rookie minicamp to watch was able to get under center. Shedeur Sanders, the center of attention despite his fifth-round selection, threw a completion on a bootleg to the left with a defender in his face. Advertisement None of it, however, was to be taken as a harbinger for things to come in the Browns' quarterback derby. Forget the four-person competition awaiting when the full roster is together, it wasn't even one for the rest of the weekend. "Yeah, I wouldn't look into anything," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after the 80-minute practice ended Friday. "I think you'll see the whole weekend, going through the spring, we don't pay too close attention to who's in there first." One could view the Browns' quarterback competition through a two-pronged approach. There's a prong that involves established quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, two players who were acquired by the team over the last two months and who have been active in Cleveland's voluntary offseason program over the last three weeks. Those two opened the second phase of the Browns' program this week, which included some on-field work. Advertisement "I think the guys are working really hard," Stefanski said. "It's been a really fun group to work with in the meeting room, out on the practice field. I think they push each other just by naturally being guys that work so hard and put so much effort into it in the meeting room, out here on the practice field. So, it's a really good group." The other prong started Friday and involved the two quarterbacks who the Browns selected in the draft: Sanders and Gabriel. Or Gabriel and Sanders if one wants to list them by their draft order. Either way, it's irrelevant on May 9, the first time both stepped onto an NFL practice field. "I think for all coaches, as you can imagine, you put plans together to practice and get the guys ready for a season, but we don't have to put a depth chart out for such a long time," Stefanski said. "So, it's not something that we're really focused on. How guys come off the field in terms of who gets the first shot at it, I mean, you may get the first rep of practice with the ones, but then the next period you may get the second group. So, we vary it throughout. We're not as, we're focused more on the totality of this competition, if you will, at every position, not just the quarterbacks." Advertisement Neither quarterback spoke to the media on Friday, with the expectation being that both will talk Saturday. Both, however, managed to get plenty of opportunities on the field due to the way Stefanski and the rest of the offensive staff structured the practice. Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) watches as quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) throws during NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. A year ago, the Browns only had one quarterback in for rookie minicamp, and it was a player they had signed almost exclusively to be a rookie minicamp arm. This year, they don't just have two quarterbacks in, they have two quarterbacks in who could very easily end up as their starting quarterback this season. That made setting up a practice format to benefit both critical. Advertisement "Yeah, so today we did a couple seven-on-sevens, longer seven-on-sevens than we typically have done. And the idea there is just to maximize reps for those guys, what we're trying to do. And that was part of the idea of bringing in some tryout players this weekend. Now those tryout players are trying to make the football team. They're not just here for practice. I was around a tryout player a few years ago named Adam Thielen, so we're giving these guys every chance they can to put their best foot forward." Both quarterbacks had their moments over their first practice. Both showed off the accuracy that had been the hallmark of their college careers. It was also hard to declare anyone the day's "winner," because it was just a controlled environment with players in helmets, T-shirts and shorts. Stefanski, however, said there was a method to the madness in the evaluation. "Well, I think the fun part is we've spent so much predraft time with these players, particularly when we're talking about our quarterbacks with Dillon and Shedeur," Stefanski said. "We've spent meeting time with them out of this building. We've taken them through walkthroughs and then they get to go do it in uniform with the helmets on and just see what they can take from the meeting room to the grass. And I thought both guys did a nice job." Advertisement Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders take field for 1st time as Browns QBs
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Travis Hunter receives college degree day before Jacksonville Jaguars rookie minicamp
Add another accolade to Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter: College graduate. Hunter graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Anthropology on Thursday, May 8. Anthropology is the study of humanity, encompassing all aspects of human life, past and present. Advertisement He shared a short video post of himself in a cap and gown on the social media site X shortly after walking the stage. Hunter, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Jaguars after they traded with the Cleveland Browns, attended Colorado for two years. He previously attended Jackson State in Mississippi in 2022. Hunter won't be able to celebrate his honor too long. After receiving his diploma Thursday, he'll be hopping on a plane and traveling 1,766 miles to Jacksonville, where he will report for rookie minicamp on Friday. Fans will get a chance to see him when practices are open to the public on Saturday, May 10. Advertisement Hunter is expected to play on both sides of the ball they way he did for the Buffaloes. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter earns college degree before Jaguars rookie minicamp
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders reportedly the best QB for Browns, leaving fans shocked
If you thought Shedeur Sanders was just hype, Nathan Zegura wants you to think again. In a recent interview with The Sporting News, Cleveland Browns color commentator Nathan Zegura couldn't hide his admiration for what he's seen from the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback during the Browns' rookie minicamp. His praise didn't just come from a place of surprise—it came with a clear message: Sanders is the real deal. Advertisement 'He throws dimes,' Zegura said, citing one deep ball in particular. 'There was one on Sunday, 57 yards in the air right in stride and it looked like nothing.' Zegura didn't stop there. While some questioned Sanders' arm strength leading up to the draft, those concerns may already be silenced. 'There is a 25-yard deep dig and it was on a line. I thought his arm looked good. The ball placement on that back-shoulder clip that's everywhere for the touchdown. That got a lot of attention.' Sanders—who threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for the Buffaloes in 2024—showed the same level of control and precision at the NFL level that made him must-watch TV in Boulder. On top of the raw talent, Zegura emphasized Shedeur's professionalism and work ethic. 'He's been heavy into the playbook and learning and everybody has been really, really impressed,' he said. 'It was not a circus at all.' Advertisement That last point is particularly relevant for those who doubted the Shedeur-Deion pairing would translate to a professional setting. Zegura's takeaway? All business. Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (left) and his father, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders (right).Ken Blaze, Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images And while the media frenzy might have painted Shedeur as a mid-round project, NFL insiders clearly saw something else. 'There isn't a single person I've talked to… that didn't have him as a first or second-round quarterback on tape,' Zegura added. 'In fact, those who said the second round – it was the early second round.' Buffs fans, take note: your former QB isn't just surviving—he's thriving. And if Zegura's early impressions are any indication, Shedeur Sanders may be well on his way to proving every doubter wrong, all over again. Related: Shedeur Sanders makes major personal announcement about future with Browns Related: Judge allows subpoenas in Shilo Sanders bankruptcy case
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders sign 3 members of their rookie class
The Washington Commanders reported to Ashburn on Friday for the beginning of rookie minicamp. But before the 2025 rookie class took the field, general manager Adam Peters finished some business with some members of the 2025 NFL draft class. Three of Washington's five draft picks signed their respective rookie contracts: 4th-round pick, WR Jaylin Lane The Virginia Tech speedster is expected to be the Commanders' primary punt returner as a rookie. Due to his game-breaking speed and versatility, he could quickly become a favorite target of quarterback Jayden Daniels. Lane played outside and in the slot in his college career and can also run the ball. Washington is excited about Lane's potential. 6th-round pick, LB Kain Medrano Kain Medrano will be a fun player to watch this summer. His combination of size, speed and coverage ability could get him on the field early, but there are concerns about his tackling. The Commanders can work with Medrano on his tackling. Finding players with Medrano's size/speed profile is more difficult. 7th-round pick, RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt Croskey-Merritt is another rookie the Commanders are excited about. He could get some carries early in his NFL career with the top four running backs entering the final year of their contract. An eligibility issue cost Croskey-Merritt all but one game last season. Had he played, Washington probably wouldn't have gotten him in the seventh round. The depth of the 2025 rookie class also helped push Croskey-Merritt down the board. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders signed 3 members of their 2025 rookie class
