Travis Hunter Undergoes Major Transformation Ahead of Second NFL Season

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars ' two-way star, is hoping to make a bigger splash this season than he did in his rookie campaign.

In 2025, the second overall draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner produced only one touchdown catch as a wide receiver and no interceptions as a cornerback in seven games of work.

To be fair, his season was derailed by a torn LCL at the end of October, but it was still a disappointment for man who expected great things out of the otherworldly talent.

Ahead of year two, though, it appears Hunter has made a big transformation that could help him stay healthy.

The young star's physical transformation was spotted by eagle-eyed fans and highlighted by SportsCenter on social media .

"Travis Hunter put on some muscle in the offseason," the account said as a caption.

It's unclear exactly how much muscle Hunter has added, but since his college days, he's been listed at 185 pounds, a figure that remains on the Jaguars' website.

He told ESPN's Michael DiRocco that he'd put in 10 pounds, a weight gain he claims hasn't affected his speed, nor did his torn LCL.

"So me just coming in and putting on them pounds, I was scared at first. I'm like, 'Oh dang, I've never played at this weight. I'm going to feel heavy. I'm not going to be able to do what I do,'" he explained. "But training and being able to put those months in, not just on the grass but in the weight room too, just putting in at the work, it made me feel lighter on my feet when I finally touched the grass."

In the meantime, Hunter is likely working on preparing to play on both sides of the ball again, though it seems the Jags are leaning toward making him primarily a defender who's sometimes used on offense.

"The Jaguars want to use Travis Hunter more on defense and they want to keep using him on offense," ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said on "The Pat McAfee Show" Tuesday morning . "Maybe not quite as much as last year, but he's gonna be used as a weapon."

Hunter told DiRocco that he's been working to get back into the groove with both sides of the ball.

"I've been gone for nine months, not able to be out here with my teammates for nine months, so finally being able to hit the grass, knock the rust off, and just continue to click with the quarterbacks and click with the defense," he said.

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