JACKSONVILLE – He's in a bigger role, and that's a good thing for Brenton Strange.

The Jaguars' third-year veteran tight end is now the Jaguars' top tight end – and if that's a major change, it's one Strange said he has been working toward since he can remember.

"Everything I've done up to this point has prepared me for this – my whole entire life," he said.

Strange, a second-round selection in 2023 NFL Draft, is entering 2025 as the Jaguars' top tight end for the first time – and as 2025 Training Camp continued at the Miller Electric Center Wednesday, offensive coordinator Grant Udinski praised Strange’s approach in a new role.

Udinski, too, praised Strange as a pass-catcher – a role he played sparingly at times in his first two seasons and one in which he is expected to grow in first-year Head Coach Liam Coen's offensive system.

"He certainly has put in the work to improve that part of his game and has a lot to show for when we give him the opportunities to do it, which is encouraging to see," Udinski said. "You see him winning, separating, running crisp routes. That ability to track the ball or separate from guys shows up."

Strange, who emerged in his first two seasons as one of the Jaguars' top blockers regardless of position, caught five passes for 35 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. With tight end Evan Engram missing eight games with injuries last season, Strange caught 40 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns and moved into the "TE1" role when the Jaguars released Engram this past offseason.

"When Evan was down last year for a lot of games, I had to take on that role," Strange said. "I was in and out of it, and when you're in and out of it, obviously, the reps are different. The roles are different. What you're going to be asked to do in the game plan is different, so that that changed week-to-week.

"I feel ready. I'll say it's been a learning experience, but I think I've been getting better every single day so I can't complain. From when I was a young kid to now, I feel like everything has prepared me for this upcoming season and this moment."

👀 Here's a look at Wednesday's practice:

PLAY OF THE DAY

• This came early in practice from the player who was the day's standout player: wide receiver Parker Washington, a third-year veteran who continued a strong '25 camp with multiple receptions. Washington, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, caught a deep pass from starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the day's first 11-on-11 session – going high for a 50-yard reception over cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Andrew Wingard. Washington, who figures to be the fourth receiver alongside rookie Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown and Brian Thomas Jr., caught 32 passes for 390 yards and three touchdowns last season and has 48 career NFL receptions for 522 yards and five touchdowns. Washington also caught an early touchdown pass Wednesday with safety Eric Murray in coverage.

STANDING OUT

• Travis Hunter practiced on both offense and defense for a second consecutive day Wednesday. These are the first two days Hunter has practiced on both sides of the ball, with Coen saying Tuesday that likely will be the norm moving forward for the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hunter worked 29 plays Wednesday, 11 on offense and 18 on defense, and had a short reception late in practice in red-zone work.
• If Parker Washington was the day's standout player, Brenton Strange wasn't far off. He continued a strong camp with multiple receptions, including a one-handed reception in a late red-zone, 11-on-11 drill with linebacker Devin Lloyd in tight coverage.
• Brown also continued a strong '25 camp, with the veteran wide receiver catching a well-contested pass on which Lawrence rolled right and threw back across his body for a touchdown in late-practice red-zone work.
• Rookie seventh-round running back LeQuint Allen Jr. continued a strong camp with a hard-fought touchdown in goal-line work, a drill in which the short-yardage run defense generally appeared to fare well.
• Tight end Hunter Long continued a strong run of recent practices with a long touchdown reception down the sideline on a pass from Lawrence.
• Eric Murray had a drive-ending interception late in practice on a pass from backup quarterback Nick Mullens.
• Veteran receivers Austin Trammell and Trenton Irwin had intermediate receptions from Mullens during a mid-practice two-minute period.
• Safety Antonio Johnson had an interception on a tipped pass late in practice.

INJURY WATCH

• Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. missed practice Wednesday with an illness and is considered day-to-day.
• Remaining out of practice:
  • Rookie linebacker Jalen McLeod (lower body)
  • Reserve offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (shoulder)
  • Rookie safety Caleb Ransaw (lower body)
  • Cornerback Montaric Brown(lower leg)
  • Defensive tackle Arik Armstead (back)
  • Second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith remains on the physically unable to perform list to start camp, with his injury undisclosed.