JACKSONVILLE – Love is in the air around the Jaguars.
And while General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen have emphasized passion for football since joining the organization earlier this offseason, they showed how much it mattered during this past weekend's 2025 NFL Draft.
It was an element that resonated through the entire draft class.
"These guys love ball, and that's what we're hunting up," Gladstone said.
Gladstone has talked often since being hired in late February about wanting "intangibly rich" players, and multiple players in the Jaguars '25 draft class were examples of how being about football first defines one of his go-to phrases.
"Tough resonates with all these guys, and guys that love football, that love the process … that drives the results," Coen said.
One such player: Third-round selection Caleb Ransaw, a versatile safety selected with the No. 88 overall selection in the draft.
Caleb Ransaw trained at nickel, corner and safety at Tulane, but Green Wave spears/nickels coach Brayden Berezowitz this week said Ranshaw played nickel in 2024 although he knew his statistics there likely wouldn't be as impressive as they would have been at safety or cornerback.
"He did whatever we needed for us to be successful," Berezowitz said. "He sacrificed for us."
Gladstone said he saw similar traits in multiple members of the Jaguars' nine-member draft class, with fourth-round linebacker Jack Kiser playing safety at the Reese's Senior Bowl despite playing exclusively linebacker at Notre Dame. Gladstone said sixth-round linebacker Jalen McLeod of Auburn also willingly played out of position at the game.
There's a lot going on in Duval County. 👀 From the DUUUVAL Draft Party to Travis Hunter's first day as a Jacksonville Jaguar, inside the draft room and during our live show programming — we made sure all Jaguars fans were looped in on the action. Swipe through some of our best behind-the-scenes photos from our NFL Draft weekend. ➡️
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
McLeon, after playing primarily on the ball at Auburn – with the point of attack being a major strength – played off the ball almost exclusively at the Senior Bowl.
"That was one thing that he signed up to do at the Senior Bowl and wasn't batting an eye at the fact that, 'Hey, I don't get to showcase what so many would call my super power, but I'm going to do this anyway because I love this sport, and I love getting out on the grass,''' Gladstone said.
Gladstone said Kiser’s Senior Bowl performance also ran counter to many participants in the event who practice during the week then opt out of the game to avoid injury.
"Many [players] are tapping out before they ever get to the game," Gladstone said. "To see somebody like Jack Kiser opt in to playing a position like safety when he is, in fact, an inside linebacker, when that could make him look worse than he would like, but was productive in that setting …
"These are guys that love the game of football regardless of if it might put them in a compromising position in the eyes of evaluators and decision makers by playing too many snaps or playing out of position, etcetera."
NOTABLE
- Another thread running through the '25 class: Experience, with wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter – the No. 2 overall selection – and seventh-round running back LeQuint Allen the only two of the nine selections to play fewer than four collegiate seasons. "It's something we lean into," Gladstone said. "I don't know that it's exactly what we're prioritizing, but the fact that you can look back to some of the recent drafts that I've been a part of, and that's typically been the case because those guys walk in the door, and they're fairly close to ready. Because of the nuances that come with this game, reps are something that are important. Obviously with the guys that have done it for a little bit longer of a runway, it caters to that."
NOTABLE
- Among the Jaguars' selections drawing praise from analysts this past weekend was Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten, who the Jaguars selected in Round 4 – No. 104 overall. Tuten was the fastest running back at the NFL Scouting Combine – and notably, he was among the players Gladstone had presented as a "priority target" on Day 3 when interviewing with the Jaguars in February. Gladstone joked that he worried about Tuten being available on Day 3 after he ran at the combine. "I don't know that I would have guessed that he would be available on Day 3, but nonetheless, he found himself there taken off pretty quickly at 104," Gladstone said. "We were jacked to be able to be in that position to prioritize him because at the end of the day we want to level up the competition across the entirety of the roster, and running back is a spot that we're going to lean on." Gladstone said he also presented Jack Kiser and center Jonah Monheim (Southern California, Round 7) as potential Day 3 selections when interviewing.
And that's a wrap on the Draft for this year. 🔐 Swipe through college action shots of the Jaguars 2025 Draft class! 🏈
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) pulls in a pass as Oklahoma State safety Dylan Smith (11) covers in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Southern California offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Navy safety Rayuan Lane III (18) tackles Delaware wide receiver Chandler Harvin, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (1) runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colgate in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Auburn linebacker Jalen McLeod, right, tackles Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser (24) grabs a pass in front of Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) during the second half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) is tackled by Virginia safety Jonas Sanker, center back, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs for a touchdown against BYU after making a catch during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) in action during the second half of the Military Bowl NCAA college football game against Tulane, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) is tackled by Oklahoma State safety Kobe Hylton (0) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Central Michigan's Jesse Prewitt III (17) gets past Notre Dame's Jack Kiser, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Auburn outside linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (1) runs the ball through the Wake Forest defense for a long gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) tries to escape the defensive pressure of Louisville defensive back Cam'Ron Kelly (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Louisville won 34-3. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) dances after intercepting a pass with Colorado safety Shilo Sanders (21) and Colorado cornerback Colton Hood (3) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
West Virginia's Wyatt Milum #64 in action against Towson during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten celebrates after a touchdown against Virginia during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (1) avoids a tackle by Army linebacker Leo Lowin (31) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
West Virginia's Wyatt Milum #64 in action against Towson during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
West Virginia offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (74) warms up before an NCAA football game against Iowa State on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Morgantown W.Va. Iowa State won 28-16. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton fumbles as he is hit by Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser (24) during the first half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Auburn linebacker Jalen McLeod, right, tries to get around California offensive lineman T.J. Session (72) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah scores a touchdown ahead of Navy safety Rayuan Lane III during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Oklahoma State cornerback Korie Black tackles Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Army wide receiver Casey Reynolds (87) makes a diving catch ahead of Navy safety Rayuan Lane III (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Southern California offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) while playing Fresno State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept 17, 2022 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Southern California offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
