Deion Sanders Slams Jaguars for Under-Utilizing Travis Hunter: What’s Really Going On?

As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, a storm is brewing over the Jacksonville Jaguars and their handling of rookie sensation Travis Hunter.

Football legend Deion Sanders, who has a unique perspective having coached Hunter during his time at Jackson State and Colorado, is not holding back.

On the New Heights podcast, Sanders stated emphatically, “They’re not using him enough… I’ve seen it with my own eyes on an everyday basis for three straight years, so I know what he’s capable of.”

This bold declaration raises eyebrows and questions about the Jaguars’ strategy and the future of one of the league’s most promising talents.

Examining Hunter’s statistics reveals a mixed bag of performance that has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads.

In the first three games of the season, Hunter’s contributions have been relatively modest:

Offense: 10 receptions on 16 targets for 76 yards (no touchdowns).
Defense: 9 total tackles (6 solo) and 1 pass defense.
Snap Counts: He has played 121 offensive snaps and 92 defensive snaps.

While these figures indicate that Hunter is being utilized on both sides of the ball, critics argue that the Jaguars are not fully leveraging his dual-threat capabilities.

Given the hype surrounding Hunter’s potential as a two-way player, many expected more explosive numbers from him.

Sanders didn’t stop at merely pointing out the lack of usage; he also shared insights from his coaching experience with Hunter.

He explained that during their time together, Hunter often did not practice early in the week, particularly on Tuesdays, to allow for recovery.

Sanders emphasized that he understands how to manage Hunter’s workload and place him in roles where he can truly shine.

However, some of Sanders’ remarks have sparked debate.

For instance, he mentioned, “He never practiced on Tuesdays… you didn’t need to use him on a Tuesday or Monday.”

This statement has drawn criticism, as NFL teams typically do not practice on Mondays or Tuesdays during the regular season, leading to questions about whether Sanders is conflating college practice schedules with professional norms.

From the Jaguars’ viewpoint, balancing Hunter’s dual role is a complex challenge.

Head coach Liam Coen and his staff must weigh Hunter’s contributions on defense—where he plays cornerback and in nickel packages—against his potential usage on offense as a receiver or slot player.

The limited practice windows, combined with the need to reduce injury risks and manage the complexity of the playbook, may lead the coaching staff to adopt a more conservative approach regarding Hunter’s offensive snaps.

Some analysts have pointed out that Hunter ranks 55th among wide receivers in targets per game, a surprisingly low figure given his pedigree and the expectations surrounding him.

Despite this, the Jaguars currently hold a 2-1 record, finding ways to win games through Hunter’s defensive impact and contributions from other players.

However, the question remains: could their offense be more explosive if Hunter were given a larger role?

The implications of underutilizing Hunter extend beyond just game statistics.

Player Morale and Development: As a high-profile rookie, Hunter carries massive expectations. If he feels underused, it could lead to frustration and impact his development.
Offensive Ceiling: Unlocking Hunter’s offensive potential could transform the Jaguars into a more dynamic and unpredictable team, making them a formidable opponent.
Criticism and Pressure: With Sanders publicly criticizing their strategy, the Jaguars’ coaching staff may feel additional pressure to adjust Hunter’s usage and maximize his talents.

Deion Sanders’ critique highlights a significant tension in the modern NFL regarding how to manage dual-role players like Travis Hunter.

The challenge lies in balancing the push for dual contributions against the inherent risks of coaching decisions and system constraints.

While Hunter has already made contributions on both sides of the ball, Sanders believes the Jaguars are holding back on unlocking his full offensive potential.

Whether the Jaguars will heed this criticism and adjust their strategy to better utilize Hunter remains to be seen.

With Sanders keeping a watchful eye and vocalizing his concerns, the spotlight is on the Jaguars to evolve Hunter’s role as the season progresses.

Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if the Jaguars can find a way to unleash the full potential of Travis Hunter and transform their offense into a powerhouse.