Top Jaguars Performers for 2025 Preseason Week 1
Welcome to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Preseason, Duval Devout! As this journey through 2025 begins with a 31-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, please remember that games in this time of year are just like the hit comedy improv TV Show, “Whose Line is it, Anyway?” The rosters are completely made up, and the points don’t matter. Here’s who did enough for fans to slightly reduce panic and spark speculation.
Travis Hunter, WR/DB
The #2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter would play on the opening drive with the starting wide receivers. He recorded two catches on the opening drive for nine yards. It would have been more, but in the rainy conditions a spinning juke he did was slightly less effective, and the gain was reduced to six yards after hauling in a three-yarder.
There was also a third catch by the rookie for seven yards on a screen pass that was called back on an illegal block by the offensive lineman Walker Little. It was one of two penalties by the line starters. The Jaguars debut opened with a false start by lineman Anton Harrison.
While the 2025 Heisman Trophy Winner had the most catches among the starters in the opening drive, tight end Brenton Strange had a catch for 11 yards while running back Travis Etienne hauled one in for 10. The Jags had to settle for the first of two consecutive field goal scoring drives by Pro Bowl kicker Cam Little
Hunter played cornerback as well during the second quarter in back-to-back drives that led to back-to-back stops. The Steelers took advantage of big completions for an 11-yard drive at the end of the first half to score their second touchdown once Hunter was off the field.
Cam Little, Kicker
Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union
All of the Jaguars points in the first half came from field goals. Little isn’t normally a guy who would be featured in a top performers article. He’s already well-known among the best kickers in the NFL. But after making a 41 and 40-yard kick look easy, Little let loose the big boot for a 70-yard connection. Since it’s a preseason game, it won’t replace Justin Tucker’s 66-yard NFL record, but it made the night memorable. He fished the night, putting up 12 points in field goals after closing his night with a 52-yarder to keep things within one score late in the fourth.
Dawuane Smoot, Defensive End
Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union
Not a particularly great night for the Jaguars, who allowed 301 passing yards. Granted, the injuries piling up at defensive tackle that kept Maason Smith and Airk Armstead from participating handicapped them somewhat. However, Smoot recorded a sack in his first game returning to Duval County, showing that he may be able to make a meaningful contribution once the games matter.
Another moment for the Jaguars defense was smothering a 4th and 1 that forced Pittsburgh to turn the ball over on downs. The offense failed to capitalize, but those short-yard situations weren’t their strong suit last year to get the defense off the field.
Trent Irwin, Wide Receiver
Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union
As much as you’ve heard things from camp about Parker Washington and Joshua Cephus, Irvin had a solid night. He did drop a third-down pass that would have kept a drive alive, but he finished the night as the top receiver with four catches for 48 yards with a touchdown. His scoring catch was a formidable effort where he used his body to haul in the contested score. Irwin also showed toughness in blocking that helped Washington get a first down on a 3rd and two screen play.
While the Jaguars were less than perfect, committing eight penalties with three that gave the Steelers offense first downs, there are still two more preseason games to clean things up before facing the Carolina Panthers in the first weekend of September.