Trevor Lawrence Shocked by Travis Hunter After Liam Coen’s Praise for Jags WR

At first, Trevor Lawrence thought it was a drill gone wrong. The rookie had zipped past his defender, spun out of a break, and somehow accelerated again. For a second, Lawrence hesitated, unsure if he could even hit the window. That’s when he realized: this wasn’t a miscue—this was Travis Hunter. The No. 2 overall pick hadn’t just shown up in Jacksonville; he had exploded onto the scene.

After months of offseason speculation, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally showed their cards when they traded up to select Travis Hunter second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The two-way phenom and 2024 Heisman winner arrived with the kind of hype usually reserved for franchise quarterbacks—but if early reactions are anything to go by, the Jags may have landed a generational weapon.

Hunter is officially listed as a wide receiver/cornerback, but his real asset might be endurance. “He’s got a lot of juice,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said after team workouts. “Good energy, high motor, like a kid. He just runs around all day. As far as talent, it speaks for itself—ball skills, run after the catch, he’s very explosive. I didn’t realize how explosive he was in and out of cuts.”

Trevor Lawrence and Liam Coen on Jags rookie WR Travis Hunter

“He’s got a lot of juice…As far as just talent, it speaks for itself. Ball skills, run after the catch. He’s very explosive. I didn’t realize how explosive he was in and out of cuts.”

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— Theo Gremminger (@TheOGfantasy) May 19, 2025

That last part matters. For all the Jags’ investment in Lawrence—$275 million over five years with $142 million guaranteed—last season exposed their lack of offensive depth. Brian Thomas Jr. led the team with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. The next-best stat line? Tight end Brenton Strange with just 411 receiving yards. It’s no surprise Jacksonville finished 3rd in the AFC South despite a career-best campaign from Lawrence.

Hunter’s arrival changes the equation. While it’s still early, he’s already flashing WR2 potential—and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has taken notice.

Liam Coen praises rookie Travis Hunter

During a media session on May 19, Coen addressed the balancing act of managing a true two-way talent. The plan? Focus on offense first. “The one thing you notice is for a guy who hasn’t played a ton of football or been out conditioning—maybe for the last two months because he was on a little bit of a tour—the guy can run forever,” Coen said. “You can tell he is in football shape.”

That “tour” Coen referred to includes Hunter’s whirlwind post-Heisman schedule, which kept him away from the field but didn’t affect his conditioning. The Jaguars plan to gradually introduce defensive reps in training camp but will prioritize preserving his legs for wide receiver duties in Year 1. The Jags’ playbook seems to be simple: get the ball in Hunter’s hands, often and early.

Owner Shad Khan has been aggressive in his offseason moves. After swooping in to snag Liam Coen from the Buccaneers, Jacksonville traded up to get Hunter despite glaring needs elsewhere. That tells you everything about their intent. Coen, known for designing innovative route trees and maximizing receiver versatility, is expected to get creative with Hunter’s usage. Whether it’s screens, jet sweeps, or motion mismatches, expect to see No. 12 lining up all over the field.

As for Lawrence, he’s already connecting. “It’s only going to get better and better,” he said. Travis Hunter isn’t just another rookie—he’s a tactical chess piece dropped into a franchise desperate for an edge. With Coen calling the plays and Lawrence pulling the trigger, the Jags’ offense could look very different come Week 1. And if the early signs are anything to go by, Hunter isn’t here to develop slowly. He’s here to detonate.

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