Travis Hunter Is Quickly Emerging as the Jaguars’ Answer to Their Biggest Need

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ever since the Jacksonville Jaguars traded Jalen Ramsey in 2019, the team has been searcing for the long-coveted shutdown cornerback. Now, it is looking like Travis Hunter is ready to finally fill a need that the Jaguars have been desperate to fill.

The Jaguars have spent high draft picks on other cornerbacks (CJ Henderson in 2020, Tyson Campbell in 2021) and spent money on the position (Shaquill Griffin in 2021). They have also had players develop into strong starters like Montaric Brown and Jarrian Jones. But no matter the path, they have not had a true No. 1 corner who could put his name up there with the best in the league.

Hunter, though, has always been thought of as a potential answer to that prayer. Through the first few weeks of training camp, all signs have so far pointed to Hunter fulfilling that role entering his second season.

travis hunte — Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) looks on during Day 11 of NFL training camp at the Miller Electric Center on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Hunter's Impact

Hunter impressed at cornerback as a rookie, but due to the construction of last year's roster his role was more focused on receiver than cornerback. He spent twice as many snaps on offense as he did on defense, and it was clear the Jaguars' early plan was for Hunter to play both ways but do a lot of his damage at receiver.

Things have of course changed since then. After Hunter's injury before Week 9 last year, the Jaguars traded for and gave a contract extension to Jakobi Meyers. They also saw Parker Washington break out over the second-half of the year, with Washington finishing the season as one of the hottest receivers in football. At the same time, the Jaguars saw Campbell get traded to Cleveland, and his replacement Greg Newsome left in free agency in March.

That means Hunter is now seemingly destined to step into a top cornerback role for a Jaguars' defense that arguably lost last year's Wild Card matchup with the Buffalo Bills due to miscues in a secondary that did not have Hunter.

travis hunter — Jacksonville Jaguars Cornerback/Wide Receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs drills with Defensive Backs Coach Anthony Perkins during the Jacksonville Jaguars 10th day of NFL Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, August 9, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Hunter has played on both sides of the ball in every practice for the Jaguars this training camp, but he has ultimately spent more snaps in team drills on defense. He will play both ways once Week 1 comes along, but the construction of the roster has always hinted to a larger role at cornerback this year, and the Jaguars' actions have said the same thing.

Hunter has impressed, too. The second-year Hunter has recorded two interceptions so far in training camp, showing off the play-making ability at cornerback that could help shift games if it carries over into the regular season.

“He has elite ball skills. The thing about Travis, obviously, you can see even in some of these practices, he can go up and tear the ball out of the air," Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said on Wednesday.

"So that's advantageous for us, obviously defensively, and he's aggressive. He goes after the ball like a receiver, so that's what's exciting about him. And you saw a little bit of that in practice the other day. I thought he made a heck of a play, honestly, coming out of nowhere and tearing the ball out of this guy.”

YOINK ‼️
@TravisHunterJr | @Dream_Finders pic.twitter.com/Bg5NkCzIGe
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 9, 2026

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has liked what he has seen from Hunter on the defensive side as well. Coen knows he will have Hunter at his disposal on offense, but that vantage point has also given him a chance to see just how valuable Hunter can be for the Jaguars' defense.

“The play they made the other day and Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] scrambled and threw it in the middle. The play was dead. He was sacked, but Travis just came out of nowhere and makes the play, like I can't coach it," Coen said earlier this week.

"And so, I think the length, the anticipation on defense, we got him today on the one, but when you have length and anticipation and have a good feel for routes, I think that the play making, getting your hands on balls or just denying the ball with good coverage. That's a win in itself that I think goes a little bit unnoticed from corners. It's like, yeah, when they don't get a lot of work, it's probably because they're doing their job and doing it at a high level, so I've been pleased with him.”

The NFL made it clear coming into camp that the league at large sees Hunter as a player with elite potential at cornerback. The more he plays there, the more it looks like he is a safe bet to meet that potential.

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