The hype was almost too much. Seriously. You couldn't scroll through social media or turn on a sports talk show without hearing about Travis Hunter’s transition to the NFL. People were obsessed. Would he play 100 snaps? Could he really be the modern-day Deion Sanders?
Then came the preseason opener on August 9, 2025. The Jacksonville Jaguars were hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank Stadium. Everyone was holding their breath.
When Travis Hunter first catch preseason action finally happened, it wasn't some 80-yard bomb that shook the stadium. Honestly? It was a simple, short pass from Trevor Lawrence. But that moment was a massive relief for a kid carrying the weight of the entire "two-way player" experiment on his shoulders.
The Play That Settled the Nerves
Hunter started at wide receiver. He didn't have to wait long. On the Jaguars’ opening drive, Lawrence looked his way three times.
The official "first" catch was a short gain—part of a two-catch, nine-yard performance during his limited time on the field. One of his other catches, a screen where he showed off that signature slipperiness by juking a defender, actually got wiped out by a penalty. Typical preseason, right?
But it was enough.
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"I felt great," Hunter said after the game. "A little nervous, but it felt great. It definitely settled down when I got the first catch."
He played 10 snaps on offense and about eight on defense. It was a tiny sample size, but it proved the concept. He wasn't just a gimmick; he was a focal point of the starting offense from the very first whistle.
Breaking Down the "Travis Hunter Experiment"
There’s a lot of talk about how the Jaguars are using him. Under head coach Liam Coen, the plan seems to be a bit different than what we saw with Deion Sanders at Colorado. In college, Hunter was on the field until he basically collapsed. In the NFL, they’re being more surgical.
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- Offensive Focus: In his preseason debut, he was strictly a slot and outside threat on the first drive.
- Defensive Rotation: He didn't come out for the first defensive series. He waited until the second Steelers possession to line up at cornerback.
- The Learning Curve: It wasn't perfect. Hunter actually missed an open-field tackle on Steelers rookie Kaleb Johnson, who gave him a pretty stiff stiff-arm.
It was a reminder that the NFL is a different beast. You can be the most talented athlete in the world, but if your technique is off against a pro-level back, you’re going to end up on a highlight reel for the wrong reasons.
Why the First Catch Matters for Your Fantasy Team
If you’re looking at Hunter for your dynasty or redraft leagues, that first preseason catch was a signal. Trevor Lawrence didn't just throw him the ball because he had to; he threw it because Hunter was open on option routes.
He’s already showing a chemistry with Lawrence that usually takes months to build. While Brian Thomas Jr. is the deep threat, Hunter is becoming that "get-the-ball-in-his-hands-and-let-him-work" guy.
The snap count is the real story here. Even in a limited preseason role, he was out there for 90% of the first-team offensive snaps on that opening drive. That’s huge. It shows that the Jaguars aren't afraid to let him be a primary receiver while still asking him to play corner.
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What to Watch Moving Forward
The Jaguars seem to be leaning toward an 80/20 split between offense and defense. If you watched his Week 1 regular-season debut against the Panthers later that year, you saw that trend continue. He’s more "Wide Receiver who plays Corner" than "Corner who plays Wide Receiver."
If you’re following his progress, keep an eye on his weight and conditioning. The NFL season is a grind. Playing both ways for 17 games is something we haven't seen in the modern era.
Practical Next Steps for Fans and Scouts:
- Watch the All-22 Film: Don't just look at the catches. Look at his releases off the line against press coverage. That’s where he’ll win or lose in the NFL.
- Monitor Defensive Snaps: See if his defensive workload increases against elite WRs. So far, the Jags have been protective of him on that side of the ball.
- Check the Injury Report: Two-way players are at a higher risk for soft tissue injuries. His availability is his best ability.
The first catch was just the beginning. It wasn't legendary, but it was the "proof of life" the NFL needed to see.