Travis Hunter is entering his sophomore NFL season with a noticeably different physique. The Jacksonville Jaguars' two-way star has clearly been putting in the work, adding serious bulk to his frame. The photos circulating from training camp show a player who's ready to handle the physical toll of playing both cornerback and wide receiver at the highest level.
Hunter's rookie campaign was solid, if not spectacular. He hauled in 28 receptions for 298 yards and a touchdown while showing promise on the defensive side. But the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft has higher expectations for himself, and he's made it clear he intends to be on the field as much as possible in 2026.
Beefing Up for a Bigger Workload
The former Colorado Buffaloes star has transformed his body during the offseason, a move that hasn't gone unnoticed. His added muscle should help him withstand the punishment that comes with being a dual-threat player. It's a bold statement of intent from a player who wants to be a game-changer on every snap.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has taken notice of Hunter's dedication. Speaking about the plan for his versatile weapon, Coen emphasized a smarter approach to the playbook. "He's got to be able to know X, F, both those positions within the game plan and not the whole playbook. Third down, red zone, two minute, specific offense of plays in the normal flow of the game, we will package him in, as opposed to, 'Look, bro, you've got to know the whole offense.' That was a little much last year," Coen said.
Virtual Reps and Real Gains
Coen also praised Hunter's work ethic, revealing that the young star is spending hours in the virtual reality room to sharpen his mental game. "You can go in there and essentially play a game," Coen explained. "From the defensive back's perspective, all you see is the linebackers, the D-line and the offense, so, he can go in there in a half hour and play a game and just go. Now you're not going to be able to get a ton of the [receiver] routes and how they play out, but alignment, assignment, making calls, adjustments to formations have been so valuable to him."
That virtual room has become Hunter's second home. "That virtual room is where he's living. It's where he's going to be in there about two to three times a day throughout the weeks. He goes in there for 25, 30 minutes at a time throughout the course of the day, that's accumulating a ton of reps that he's not going to be able to get until he is cleared to go," Coen added.
Hunter's ambition is clear: he wants to play every snap. And with his new physique and the coaching staff's smart game planning, he's positioning himself to be one of the most exciting players in the league. The training camp buzz around Hunter is only growing, and fans are eager to see how the Jaguars deploy their unique talent.
As the NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on Jacksonville to see if Hunter can deliver on his promise. The added muscle is a good start, but the real test comes on game day.
