Jaguars Set to Deploy Travis Hunter as Full-Time Cornerback, GM Confirms Knee Rehab on Track
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone updated Travis Hunter's knee rehab this week and said that the second overall pick in the 2025 draft will be limited in the offseason with the expectation that he'll be fully cleared for training camp.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a clear plan for their prized second overall pick: Travis Hunter will line up as a full-time cornerback when the 2025 NFL season kicks off, according to a new report.
Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone provided an update on Hunter's knee rehabilitation this week, offering reassurance that the Heisman Trophy winner is progressing well following the injury. Gladstone confirmed that while Hunter will be limited during offseason activities, the team fully expects him to be cleared in time for training camp.
The decision to deploy Hunter exclusively at cornerback marks a significant development in what has been a widely debated question since draft night. Hunter dazzled at Colorado as a two-way standout, playing both wide receiver and cornerback at an elite level, prompting speculation that Jacksonville might attempt to utilize him on both sides of the ball.
Instead, the Jaguars appear to be focusing Hunter's considerable talents on the defensive side, where his elite athleticism, ball skills, and physicality are expected to make an immediate impact in the secondary. The move signals confidence in Hunter's ability to compete at the NFL level as a defensive starter from day one.
The knee injury had raised some early concerns among fans and analysts following the draft, but Gladstone's comments suggest the organization is not alarmed by the recovery timeline. Limiting Hunter during the offseason program is a precautionary measure designed to ensure he enters training camp healthy and ready to compete for a starting role.
Jacksonville is banking on Hunter becoming a cornerstone of their defense for years to come. If his rehab continues on schedule, the Jaguars could have one of the most exciting young cornerbacks in the league ready to take the field when the 2025 season opens.