Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter added 10 pounds during the offseason following a knee injury, yet clocked a top speed of 22.6 mph during team workouts. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, that puts the playmaker in elite company alongside some of the fastest ball carriers in professional football history.
Offseason Weight Gain and Speed Metrics
Entering his second season with the Jaguars, Hunter faced a delicate physical balancing act. Recovering from a knee injury, team staff told him to add mass to his frame, but Hunter admitted he worried the extra weight would blunt his trademark explosiveness on the gridiron. According to Hunter, coach Liam Coen encouraged him to play at a weight that felt comfortable. Months of rigorous training in the gym and on the turf ultimately produced an unexpected result: instead of feeling sluggish at 185 pounds, Hunter felt lighter and faster when he finally returned to the field.
During recent training sessions at the team facility, tracking data caught Hunter reaching 22.6 mph. According to NFL Next Gen Stats tracking data active since 2016, only Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert have ever reached or exceeded 22.67 mph in a tracked game. Hill previously clocked a staggering 23.24 mph on a kickoff return touchdown during the 2016 season, though that play was later negated by a penalty.
Coach Coen Evaluates Hunter’s Progress
With his sights now set on breaking the 23 mph threshold, Hunter has drawn high praise from his coaching staff. According to Jaguars coach Liam Coen, the wide receiver possesses rare physical traits that defy typical recovery curves. Coen noted that returning from a significant leg injury usually creates hesitation, yet Hunter is running faster than he did during his rookie campaign.
Coen expressed astonishment at Hunter’s trajectory, acknowledging that while the 23 mph mark is an extraordinary benchmark, Hunter’s relentless drive to push past his previous limits makes it an attainable goal.
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