The Jacksonville Jaguars have completed their first three days of training camp and will reconvene on July 27 for their next block of practices.
The team continued the work they began during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp as head coach Liam Coen continues to install his new offensive system in his first season in Jacksonville.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence looked sharp during the first two days of practice and seemed to be much improved after having season-ending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder last year.
The defense stood tall during the third practice, swatting away several passes during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 periods. It’s part of the back-and-forth we’ll see during camp as the Jaguars try to ready themselves for the regular season.
“A lot of the guys you could tell want the pads on. They just want to get to that point. It feels like we’ve been in t-shirt, shorts for a long time now,” Coen said after Day 3 of camp. “It’s not quite football. It’s still not. Football is, as we all know, a very physical game, and it’s and it’s meant to be played that way. And, ultimately, you can’t really do it until you get the pads on.”
The team revealed their plan for rookie two-way player Travis Hunter, allowing him to play on both sides of the ball already through the first three days. He spent two days on offense and one on defense, but had a chance to meet with coaches on the opposite side of the ball during special teams portions of practice.
On the second day, Hunter was coached by secondary coach Ron Milus, defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. On the third day, Hunter joined Lawrence and the rest of Jacksonville’s offense as they did an impromptu walk-through.
It’s all part of the plan the team has enacted to bring the two-way player along and ensure he’s staying current with both positions.
“The whole camp’s mapped out. Every single moment,” Coen said. “Every moment, every minute that he is in the building, it is accounted for and, trying to make sure that we maximize, our time so that we can ultimately get the, you know, the best outcome.”
Though it’s still the early portion of camp, several players have made an impression so far. Here’s a look at five players who stood out during the first week of training camp.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence looks sharp to start season
Trevor Lawrence was probably the most impressive player at the Miller Electric Center through the first two days of training camp. Lawrence came into camp locked in, displaying his matriculation through Coen’s system. He was tested by the coaching staff ahead of the start of camp and scored 85 out of 100, though he says the screen lagged on a few of his answers. Still, Lawrence looks much better than he did in OTAs. Which is a good sign for the Jaguars.
Jaguars WR Joshua Cephus makes impressive catches early in camp
One of the beneficiaries of the additional work this offseason has been second-year wideout Joshua Cephus. Cephus has made several eye-opening grabs, including a full-extension catch where he got behind two defenders. As camp rolls along, he could be in contention for one of the last spots in the receiver room.
Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter gets extra coaching during training camp
Through the early days of camp, Hunter has already been featured on both sides of the ball. The team has found ways to keep him in constant communication with his defensive coaches when he’s on offense and vice versa when he’s on defense.
Hunter has spent time with secondary coach Ron Milus and defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins during special teams portions of practice. Even defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile worked with Hunter on Thursday. It should also be noted, Hunter has looked much improved as a route runner from when he first arrived at rookie minicamp.
Jaguars S Antonio Johnson nabs pick six on second day of camp
The safety spot is a position with a lot of eyes on it as the Jaguars enter camp. After adding Caleb Ransaw and Eric Murray through the draft and free agency, almost every other player will be fighting for a roster spot. Third-year defensive back Antonio Johnson has impressed the most through the first few days of practice. He had a pick-six on Day 2 and has spent a lot of time around the ball. He’ll be someone to watch over the next few weeks.
Jaguars WR Parker Washington snags redzone touchdown on Day 3 of training camp
Jacksonville’s top three receivers are set. Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown and Hunter will headline the pass catchers of the offense. But Parker Washington has shown up for the Jaguars in moments when his number is called. He caught a bullet pass from Lawrence at the back of the endzone to score a touchdown on Day 3 of camp. He also made several catches on previous days, including a leaping catch between defenders on Day 2.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 5 players who stood out in Week 1 of Jaguars training camp
Reporting by Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
