Jaguars' Travis Hunter Clocks 22.6 MPH After Gaining 10 Pounds of Muscle

Travis Hunter reached a top speed of 22.6 mph during his recovery from a November lateral collateral ligament surgery.

Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter reached a top speed of 22.6 mph during offseason training, surpassing his previous personal records despite weighing 10 pounds more than his rookie season. The 185-pound athlete achieved this velocity at the team’s practice facility while recovering from a lateral collateral ligament injury in his right knee that required surgery in November. Hunter’s current speed puts him in elite company; since NFL NextGen Stats began tracking in 2016, only Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert have exceeded the 22.6 mph threshold during a game. Hill holds the record at 23.24 mph, a mark set during a 105-yard kickoff return in 2016.

During the first three practices of training camp, Hunter has integrated back into the lineup by playing 24 snaps on defense and 15 snaps on offense during 11-on-11 drills. This workload follows a nine-month rehabilitation process after an October 30 injury ended his debut campaign after just seven games. As a rookie, Hunter recorded 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown on offense, while contributing 15 tackles and three pass breakups on the defensive side of the ball.

Physical Transformation and Speed Metrics

Jaguars offensive coordinator Liam Coen noted that Hunter has added 10 pounds of muscle, a change that initially concerned the player regarding his mobility. Hunter admitted he was scared he would feel heavy, yet he reported feeling lighter on his feet during the third practice of camp on Friday. The coaching staff, including Coen, encouraged the sophomore to play at whatever weight made him happy, resulting in the current 185-pound listing. Hunter has publicly stated his goal is to eventually crack the 23 mph barrier.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile highlighted that the recovery period allowed Hunter to build up his upper body in the weight room. The team plans to utilize him primarily at cornerback while rotating him into offensive packages. Unlike his rookie year, where he did not transition between units until late in camp, Hunter began flip-flopping between offense and defense immediately upon the start of this year's sessions.

Recovery from Lateral Collateral Ligament Surgery

The nine-month hiatus from the field began following the Jaguars' game on October 30. Hunter described the current phase of camp as "getting the rust off" after being away from his teammates for nearly a year. His return to the grass involves re-establishing chemistry with the Jaguars' quarterbacks while maintaining his responsibilities in the secondary. Coen described Hunter's ability to increase his speed following a major leg injury as a "freaky trait," noting that the player may not have even hit the 23 mph mark during his healthy stretches last season.

Two-Way Utilization Strategy

The Jaguars' coaching staff is implementing a specific plan for Hunter’s dual-role participation. By logging nearly 40 total snaps in 11-on-11 work across the first three days, Hunter is demonstrating a higher level of comfort with the playbook than he displayed during his initial season. The 24-to-15 snap distribution in favor of the defense aligns with the organization's stated intent to prioritize his development as a cornerback. Hunter remains focused on clicking with both units as he transitions out of the rehab phase and into full-contact football.