JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Now that minicamp is over, when does the real stuff start? Travis needs to get ready for the regular season.

Jaguars 2025 rookie minicamp ended Saturday. As for when the "real stuff" begins for wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and the other 30 players in the team's '25 rookie class, that depends on your definition of "real stuff." The rookies will begin working with veterans this week in Phase 2 of the voluntary offseason program. That's meetings, workouts, individual and group – but no contact or team drills. The rookies also will work with veterans in Phase 3 – i.e., three weeks of organized team activities followed by a three-day mandatory minicamp in which players participate in team drills, but still with no live contact. These are all valuable learning periods and very important for any rookie – particularly Hunter as he learns the Jaguars' offensive AND defensive systems – but an argument can be made that none of this non-padded stuff is actually all that "real." The real stuff begins when the Jaguars start practicing in pads in 2025 Training Camp in late July. Still, Hunter and the rookie class can learn a lot in the coming weeks. Real or not.

Cliff from ORANGE PARK, FL

Getting Hunter seems more of a "we are a player away" move. Doesn't it say loud and clear that this regime is confident in the roster and feel with some tweaks and a superstar, they can be in contention?

The Jaguars' move to trade up to No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Hunter indeed had a "statement" feel for the organization. The team's new regime – Head Coach Liam Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli – clearly want this organization to be bold, aggressive and forward-thinking – and it gets no bolder, more aggressive or forwarder than trading up three selections and proclaiming the selection a potential sport-altering player. Part of the thinking regarding the move indeed was a belief that the Jaguars will compete for a playoff spot and have a winning record – and that Hunter can make a huge impact immediately. But this was more about getting what the Jaguars believe is a great player for an extended period than any specific thought about how the team will fare in 2025.

Deane

Yo, O-Zone! I for one am pretty stoked about all of our draft selections! However, being that I served at NAS Cecil Field back in the day and that Jax has a strong Navy presence I am thrilled with the Jags picking up safety Rayuan Lane III. I watched him play and I think he is going to be a beast in the backfield. So, O-Zone, can I get a one fer for the Middie now Jag, Lane III???

One fer Lane. No doubt.

Bryan from Yorkshire, VA

One thing I haven't heard brought up yet is that of Travis Hunter and his obvious potential to bring in extra revenue. I'm curious — could extra revenue for the team in this regard (gameday tickets, merchandise sales, marketing, etc.), actually help the team in the long run? Basically, do teams with less money (Jacksonville, Tennessee, etc.), in general, have a disadvantage than teams with higher revenues (Dallas, Los Angeles, etc.)? And if so, would the additional income the Jags should expect to bring in over the next few years potentially negate some of the injury/burnout risk of having a two-way player since it could help the team in other ways down the road?

Hunter's presence absolutely should bring the Jaguars extra revenue in the form of tickets, sponsorship and merchandise – all the streams that benefit any successful team. Streams such as merchandise are shared with other NFL teams, while tickets and sponsorship are local revenue that benefits the team. But while more money is always a positive in the NFL, one doesn't really have much to do with the other in this case. The Jaguars need and want Hunter to be really good because it will help them win and therefore benefit the franchise. If he burns out or gets hurt, it will be a negative no matter how much revenue his presence brings the organization.

J.Hooks from Orange Park, FL

Do you foresee a large amount of undrafted free agents making the team due to the regime change? It looks like they picked up a large amount of those players. Are we looking to see a lot of turnover amongst the veterans?

The Jaguars have a relatively large 31-player rookie class, and that's indeed by design. Gladstone philospically has no problem keeping – and playing – rookies. That absolutely includes undrafted rookies, and all Jaguars decision-makers are committed to an environment that encourages and develops young players. That means all the 22 undrafted collegiate free agents will have a legitimate chance to make the team. What's a lot on the active roster? Two or three, with many on the practice squad. Somewhere in there.

Anita from Springfield

I know it's shorts and helmets, but did we have any rookies or UDFAs who gave you the "oh no" feeling of not belonging? How'd they look in general?

A-ight.

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!I hope this Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver does a lot better than the last Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver we had! Just sayin'!

I'll assume you're referencing 1991 Heisman winner Desmond Howard, who played for the Jaguars in 1995. Or maybe maybe maybe you're referencing Tim Tebow, who won the 2007 Heisman as a quarterback and who tried out or something like that for the Jaguars as a tight end in 2021. For the sake of argument, we'll go with Howard. While scoring the game-winning touchdown in the Jaguars' first victory – 17-16 over the Houston Oilers – he did little else. To be fair, the Jaguars selected Howard in the 1995 expansion draft and little was expected from him with the Jaguars at that stage of his career. To say Hunter's situation is a bit different is an understatement.

John from Jacksonville

I understand people believe Travis Hunter has too slight of build to be a Top 10 pick at 6-feet-1, 186 pounds. Tyreek Hill is 5-10, 185 pounds. How'd he turn out? As for playing both sides of the ball play him on defense when the opposing team is close to the red zone and he won't need to run as much, the Jaguars have three capable receivers. So if Hunter has a long play giving him a rest when he needs one shouldn't be a big problem.

OK.

John from Hopkins, MN

What's your take on the Jaguars' new leadership first major move is to be the first team to employ a two-way player? It certainly gives me some excitement that they're trying to do something as game changing as that in their first season.

I think the Jaguars' move to select Hunter was in a very real sense very fitting – and a vivid example of how this team intends to operate under Coen, Gladstone and Boselli. It wouldn't be right to say the trio set out upon their hiring with the specific idea of making the Jaguars the first NFL team to employ a two-way player in at least three decades. It would be right to say once Gladstone became general manager in February and the organization began preparing for the draft, there was a collective sense that they really wanted Hunter – and that selecting Hunter made sense for the organization. At that point, the leadership indeed set a tone and differentiated themselves from many NFL decision-makers by acting boldly and decisively. A lot of NFL leaders would have talked among themselves about how cool it would be to make the move, or tell themselves it would have been nice to be in position to take Hunter. The Jaguars made the move despite a decided element of risk. And yes, the move gives this organization some excitement. Big-time.

Brendan from Lost, Space-Time Continuum

I don't mind the dancing. The Jags need someone to inject some life into the franchise. Seems like there's an opening or two for an alpha to come along and set the standard/culture. I think this draft was about getting some "leadership dudes" in. So dance on Travis, do ya thang. (No shade to Trevor).

I think this draft and a lot of future Jaguars player acquisitions will be about drafting leaders, alphas and players who can give this team an identity. There are a few such players on this team. I expect a few such as defensive end Travon Walker to continue evolving into those roles. More is needed in this vein.

Michael from Crestview FL

Still laughing at the soul comment. All souls needs pressure washing from time to time. Some souls need a gentle going-over while a few need sandblasting. May all the sordid souls find cleansing this week.

I am the king of all funk.