The Jacksonville Jaguars are back on the field, and there’s already a bit of a buzz floating around OTAs. It’s that time of year when players refresh the offseason cobwebs, coaches start piecing things together, and fans hold their breath waiting to see which rookie will rise above the noise. There’s always someone who surprises everyone early. QB Trevor Lawrence seems dialed in and ready to lead, but it’s the little details at practice that really start to paint a picture of what’s ahead.

The Jacksonville Jaguars may have found their newest secret weapon—and Trevor Lawrence isn’t keeping it a secret. The team’s franchise QB has already made it clear: he’s a fan of Travis Hunter. After just a couple of days of throwing to the rookie wideout during OTAs, Lawrence didn’t hold back. “Travis Hunter has got a lot of juice. He can run all day. A lot of energy. I love it.” Lawrence told ESPN. That’s not the kind of praise you toss around lightly, especially from a quarterback with playoff expectations in 2025.

It wasn’t just one flash play or a lucky rep either. Lawrence highlighted how quickly Hunter’s adapting to the pro level. He noted Hunter’s sharp route-running and his ability to get out of cuts, which makes life easier for any quarterback trying to move the chains. Even more impressive? The fact that they’ve barely worked together, yet Trevor is already noticing a rhythm developing. That’s chemistry in the making, and the Jaguars know how valuable that can be.

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There’s also something to be said about the timing here. The Jags are coming off a frustrating 2024 season, where offensive inconsistency was a common theme. Adding a playmaker like Hunter into the mix, and seeing your QB light up about it this early, gives fans (and coaches) something real to be excited about. When your top guy is raving about a rookie, you listen.

So far, it sounds like Lawrence isn’t just impressed, he’s hopeful. Travis Hunter isn’t just a rookie learning the ropes. He’s already looking like someone who can play a real role in the offense. For now, the connection is still in its early stages. But from the way Trevor’s talking, it won’t be long before Hunter is a key figure in the Jaguars’ passing attack.

Liam Coen was amazed by Hunter

While Trevor is excited about Hunter’s talent, offensive coordinator Liam Coen is in awe of something else entirely: the kid’s motor. After just a few practices, Coen was blown away by how Hunter handled the physical demands. “The guy can run forever. I don’t know if he’s human sometimes,” Coen told Sports Illustrated. For a rookie fresh off a whirlwind pre-draft schedule, showing up to camp in peak shape is a rare feat.

That kind of stamina is impressive as it opens doors. Because Hunter can stay on the field longer than most first-year players, the coaching staff can throw more at him early. Coen said he was amazed by how “he showed up in football shape,” which allowed the team to push him a little harder without worrying about overload or injuries. For a Jaguars team that is retooling its offense, it is all perfect to have a ready-made rookie.

Of course, Hunter’s not perfect. Even Coen admitted that the rookie made “a couple of mistakes” during OTAs. But it wasn’t the errors that stood out. It was the way Hunter responded. “He took accountability… and he’s worked his tail off to get it right,” Coen said to that. That mindset is what separates NFL players from college standouts. 

And if Hunter keeps it up, don’t be surprised if the Jaguars start getting creative. Coen even hinted that Hunter’s freakish endurance could open up some two-way potential down the line, like we saw in college. But for now, he’s sticking to receiver and excelling. Between Lawrence’s praise and Coen’s amazement, Travis Hunter is quickly becoming the rookie to watch in Jacksonville.