Latest news with #GrantUdinski
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jacksonville Jaguars rookies report training camp? What to watch from Travis Hunter, others
The 2025 NFL season is around the corner and it is officially 47 days away from the season opener. The Jacksonville Jaguars are back for their 31st season in the NFL as they enter a new era. Head coach Liam Coen joins the Jaguars after a year in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. Coen coached a top-five offense in the NFL last year and beings his talents to Duval to improve the 25th ranked offense in 2024. Alongside Coen is new offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. Udinski joined Jacksonville after his stint as an assistant offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings while Campanile arrives from the linebacker coach position in Green Bay. Although coaching has made some changes, the biggest addition to the Jaguars family is Travis Hunter, the second pick in the draft after trading up with the Cleveland Browns. He is coming off a Heisman Trophy-winning season with the Colorado Buffalos after helping his team achieve a 9-4 record, their best result since 2016. HOW IT STARTED? Travis Hunter story goes all the way back to grandmother living in Palm Beach labor camp Hunter is a unique prospect where he is committed to playing both sides of the football in the NFL. He played those roles full time in Deion Sanders' team and his athletic ability gives him a chance at achieving that. Udinski and Campanile both will be tasked with handling Hunter correctly to develop him and not hinder who is known as a generational athlete. Coen, Udinski and Campanile will engage with Hunter and the rest of their rookie class as the Jaguars' training camp begins July 19. They will report to the Miller Electric Center on Saturday for their first day of NFL training camp. The rookies will be joined by the rest of the team on July 22 before the doors of Miller Electric Center is open to the public. With an abundance of new rookies joining the team, who are ones that will catch the eyes of the fans? Here are some rookies to keep a look out for: Jacksonville Jaguars 2025 NFL draft class The Jaguars grabbed the Heisman winner with the second pick but they picked up depth in numerous positions, including two running backs. Round 1 (No. 2 overall) - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado Round 3 (88) - Caleb Ransaw, DB, Tulane Round 3 (89) - Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia Round 4 (104) - Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech Round 4 (107) - Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame Round 6 (194) - Jalen McLeod, EDGE, Auburn Round 6 (200) - Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy Round 7 (221) - Jonah Monheim, OL, USC Round 7 (236) - LeQuint Allen Jr., RB, Syracuse Who to watch for? Travis Hunter Hunter accumulated 96 receptions, 1258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball last season. Defensively he caught 4 passes for interceptions and 36 tackles. He led the Big 12 in receptions and touchdowns while guarding the other team's best player every game. He did not test at the NFL Combine but his play showcases breakaway speed. At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, he has the size and speed to guard shorter receivers/running backs and the height to not get bullied by taller guys. Watching Hunter in college, you can see the all-around elusiveness and athleticism he possesses. The ability to meet the ball at its height point to either bring it down or swipe it away is critical in redzone situations. The creativity in the open field to find ways to make big plays is another major factor in his game. His play at receiver allows him to read his opponent where he can run a route for them or jump it for an interception. The Florida native has the skills to play both sides of the ball and his progression will be key for the Jaguars' future. Caleb Ransaw Caleb Ransaw played three years at Troy before moving to Tulane for his senior year. The 5-11, 197-pound defensive back played as a nickelback or slot corner in Tulane's 4-2-5 defense. This allowed Ransaw to use his speed and strength to throw off receivers that were within his zone. He is big for the slot corner position so his assistance in run defense was key. He would redirect many receivers that crossed his line of vision and made quick work of anything that came 7 yards or fewer from the line of scrimmage. Ransaw clocked in at 4.33 seconds for his 40-yard dash, which showcases his top-end speed. He is not some that receivers can blow by easily. Where Ransaw struggles is his coverage ability. Playing against NFL slot receivers could be tricky for him because of their shiftiness and quick release off the line. Ransaw's zone coverage ability is fine but man to man is where he could struggle. It is presumed that the Jaguars drafted Ransaw to play safety so he can utilize his athletic ability while also having opportunities to contribute to the run defense. Wyatt Milum Wyatt Milum was drafted immediately after Ransaw with the 25th pick in the third round. His selection was an indicator of wanting the protection of Trevor Lawrence and Milum is just the player for it. Standing at 6-6 and 313 pounds, Milum is a big guy that started at left tackle for his senior season at West Virginia. His production earned him Big 12 Player of the Year. Milum's drop on the draft board was due to his arm's length. With 32⅛-inch arms, Milum is in the ninth percentile for offensive tackles. He played great at West Virginia but in the NFL, teams want their tackles to have long arms to fight off speed rushers. With his build, Milum could slide to offensive guard. Jacksonville Jaguars training camp open dates at Miller Electric Center For practices open to the public, parking lots open at 7 a.m., gates open at 7:45 a.m. and practice is expected to start at 8:30 a.m. Open practice dates include: Wednesday, July 23 Thursday, July 24 Friday, July 25 – Exclusive Season Ticket Member day Sunday, July 27 – NFL Back Together Sunday with Rookie poster giveaway Monday, July 28 – First day of full pads Tuesday, July 29 Sunday, Aug. 3 Tuesday, Aug. 5 This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter, other Jacksonville Jaguars rookies reach training camp
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
If Travis Hunter becomes two-way star, he must bond with Jaguars' Grant Udinski first
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has to use the most of his time with Travis Hunter. The two-way player has yet to get reps on the defensive side of the ball during practice open to media, but he's already in defensive meetings and in the classroom with his defensive coaches. Advertisement As other offensive players are solely focusing on learning one playbook, Hunter is diving into two — a challenge Udinski says the No. 2 overall pick is fully prepared to conquer. IS TRAVIS HUNTER EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS? Jaguars' Tony Boselli explains why 'He's the type of guy that because of that passion and the love of the game, who's up for the challenge and can do it,' the first-year coordinator said at the conclusion of the first organized team practice for Jacksonville. 'It's definitely different compared to the rest of the guys and his schedule. It's a unique skill set, unique person and a unique player.' Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter's love for football is apparent Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) talks to members of the media during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] The first thing Udinski said about working with Hunter is how much fun it is getting to know him. The Jaguars had minimal contact with their draft picks prior to the selecting them. Advertisement Whereas in some organizations large contingents are sent out to vet prospects, Jacksonville opted for a more lowkey approach to the draft process. They kept their desire to draft Hunter under wraps, with even Hunter admitting he didn't have a clue they were interested until the night before the draft took place. That means it's a feeling out process taking place as coaches and players get used to each other. But that process has been smooth because of Hunter's personality. "I'm sure you guys see it, him out here, the dancing at practice. The fun, the love of the game,' Udinski said. According to him, the same energy he shows on the grass he translates to meetings and in the classroom. Advertisement 'It makes our job a lot of fun to get out here on the grass with those guys,' he continued. 'Whether it's on the grass or in the meeting room, it's that same energy and passion for the game or passion for being around their teammates that they bring every day.' PUSHIN' IT: Jaguars among teams that opposed ban of 'Tush Push' per Adam Schefter Travis Hunter playing both ways will be unique challenge Hunter is doing something not many, if any, active NFL players are doing: Regularly attending meetings with offensive and defensive players. This means he has double the workload of an average player. It also means he gets half the time to spend with each position. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) can't haul in a reception during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. It's a challenge Udinski is embracing, though. Advertisement 'You're definitely going for maximum efficiency,' he said. 'You're trying to optimize the time, so it's different. It's a unique challenge, but it's a fun challenge, it's an exciting challenge.' Hunter found success at every level he's competed at. In high school he was rated as the top player in his class as a two-way player. In college, he won the Heisman as the top rated player in college football as a two-way player. Now, he's hoping to achieve the same level of success in the NFL. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter mission right now: Master Jacksonville Jaguars offense
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings lose key member of training staff to the Carolina Panthers
Teams have been actively trying to poach the Minnesota Vikings' staff after the team went 14-3 in 2024. The Jacksonville Jaguars hired assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski as their offensive coordinator in 2025. Now, the Vikings will need to replace their Director of Player Performance. On Monday, Joe Person, who covers the Carolina Panthers for The Athletic, announced the Panthers hired Josh Hingst, who had served as the Vikings' Director of Player Performance from 2021-24. Hingst had worked for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-20, helping them win Super Bowl LII following the 2017 season. While there, Hingst significantly implemented one of the league's first data-driven training systems. In Carolina, Hingst will be the Panthers' strength and conditioning coach. He replaces Jeremy Scott, who joined the Panthers in 2020 when Matt Rhule took over as head coach. The Vikings now must replace a member who survived the coaching change from Mike Zimmer to Kevin O'Connell. This regime relies heavily on data and analytics, so finding someone fit for the role and embracing that approach to player performance could be more difficult than it would have been ten years ago.
