Can former Heisman Trophy Winner and No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter stay healthy and pull off a two-way role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2026 and become their X-factor?
ESPN’s Ben Solak recently answered that question for all 32 teams including the Jacksonville Jaguars. Solak described that an X-factor is a player who can dramatically swing the season with their individual play. Quarterbacks, coaches and rookies were not taken into consideration for this article.
“Hunter is particularly interesting as an X factor corner because he can play the ball and generate turnovers,” wrote Solak. “I think he will risk some feast-or-famine play that might need smoothing over in the years to come, but in a zone-heavy approach under coordinator Anthony Campanile, it’s reasonable to expect him to quickly be among the league’s best in anticipating combinations and jumping routes.”
Solak also added that Hunter’s impact on offense could be “minimal” this season, with Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. at wide receiver.
“Consider how big of an X factor he’ll be if one of the three is lost because of a big injury, and suddenly a first-round talent is coming off the bench to fill some of the snaps,” Solak wrote. “It’s all still theoretical, but Hunter’s potential impact is sky-high.”
Keep in mind that on offense Hunter will also be splitting time with rookie wideout Josh Cameron (Baylor) and C.J. Williams (Stanford), who were both Day 3 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars didn’t seem to have a consistent plan for Hunter on defense last year, but with Hunter being the clear starter at cornerback along with Jourdan Lewis and Montaric Brown, he will likely be CB1 during the season facing each team’s best wide receiver every single week.
Hunter’s production by the numbers
Hunter finished his historic college career with 171 receptions for 2,167 yards and 24 touchdowns on offense, alongside 85 tackles and nine interceptions on defense between his one year at Jackson State and two at Colorado.
This past season he was limited in play, as a knee injury cut his season short. Hunter had 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown. On defense, Hunter had 15 total tackles and three pass deflections.
It’s going to be a challenge for him to pull off both for the Jaguars. But if anyone can do it, it’s Travis Hunter. He has to figure out a two-way plan that actually works with Liam Coen and the staff but how long can he pull it off? Only time will tell. His first test is next Sunday against the Cleveland Browns at home.
