Travis Hunter Breaks Silence: The Shocking Message Critics Didn’t See Coming

So here’s the million-dollar question swirling in my mind: Can a single rookie juggle the Herculean task of playing both wide receiver and cornerback in the hyper-demanding NFL environment? Enter Travis Hunter — the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most audacious experiment — stepping onto the field this Saturday night against Pittsburgh, ready to flip the script on what’s possible. This isn’t just preseason fluff; Hunter’s been switching gears between offense and defense like a pro all camp long, shrugging off the skeptics like yesterday’s news. I mean, seriously, when was the last time you saw someone pull off two vastly different roles without crumbling under the pressure? It’s a high-wire act, with critics buzzing and questions flying, but Hunter’s got a message: he’s all about blocking out the noise and proving doubters wrong—one electrifying play at a time.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MAY 10: Travis Hunter #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs looks on during Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie Minicamp at Miller Electric Center on May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. — (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

The Jacksonville Jaguars will showcase their most intriguing experiment Saturday night when Travis Hunter takes the field against Pittsburgh.

The rookie will officially play both wide receiver and cornerback in his first NFL preseason action.

Hunter has been splitting duties between offense and defense throughout camp, sometimes switching roles within the same practice session.

Questions persist about whether any player can handle both sides of the ball in today’s NFL. Hunter remains unbothered by the doubters surrounding his unique situation.

“I really don’t care what people say,” Hunter told Kay Adams on Thursday. “A lot of people just gossiping about me. I just let them do the talking that’s their job. I’m not gonna stop anybody from earning their money. … I think the world is a better place when we’re all uplifting each other. So if you’re telling somebody what they can’t do just because you didn’t do it, it’s not right. I don’t connect myself to none of those people.”

“I really don't care what people say… I just let them do the talking.”

Travis Hunter says he tunes out the noise — and that "the world is a better place when we're all uplifting each other" @heykayadams | @TravisHunterJr | @Jaguars #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/VdIMD7VWai

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 7, 2025

Hunter addressed the physical demands of his dual role candidly. Fatigue becomes an issue only when he fails to take advantage of scheduled rest days.

Otherwise, he feels capable of handling both positions without wearing down.

The former Colorado star has added extra conditioning work to prepare for his Jacksonville debut.

Even when practice focuses solely on offense, Hunter still meets with defensive coaches to stay mentally sharp. The same applies when working exclusively on defense.

Hunter faces a unique challenge regarding individual accolades. He cannot compete for both Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year unless he plays significant snaps at both positions.

Last season at Colorado provided the blueprint for Hunter’s potential.

He caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while recording 35 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble during his Heisman Trophy campaign.

Those numbers demonstrate his ability to impact both sides of the ball at the college level.

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