‘Boys Got The Kingpin’ — Travis Hunter’s Police Ride-Along Takes Wild Turn As Jacksonville Deputies Make Major Drug Bust
· Yahoo Sports
Travis Hunter is back from a knee injury as the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for the 2026 campaign.
The Jaguars expect Hunter to suit up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, but before football’s on the agenda, Hunter decided to embark on a wild side quest in Jacksonville.
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Travis Hunter Joins Jacksonville Police to Bust Drug Trafficking Ring
The Jaguars star joined Jacksonville Police for a ride-along and witnessed deputies uncover what they described as trafficking quantities of multiple drugs during an operation.
The ride-along showed Hunter a side of Jacksonville he would rarely see through football. After the officers completed the bust, Hunter could hardly hide his reaction to the size of the haul.
“Them boys got the kingpin,” he said.
Going from preparing for NFL Sundays to sitting beside officers during an actual police operation has to rank among the more unusual ways to spend a day. The moment also gave him a chance to speak directly to younger fans about the dangers of drugs.
“Don’t do drugs, man. It’s not worth it,” he said to the fans.
On the football side of things, Hunter’s return has Jaguars fans excited. Jacksonville has also changed how it plans to use him during the 2026 season.
The Jaguars have split his practice snaps while putting more emphasis on his defensive responsibilities, giving him a clearer role on that side of the ball.
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During recent 11-on-11 practice sessions, Hunter did not take a single offensive snap, which shows how Jacksonville has adjusted his workload. Still, the Jaguars have no intention of wasting his dual ability once the regular season arrives.
After winning the 2024 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award at Colorado, Hunter entered the NFL with high expectations. However, a torn LCL in his right knee limited his first season to just seven games.
Even then, he handled 67% of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps and another 36% on defense. Hunter produced 28 catches for 298 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded three passes defended and 15 tackles on defense.
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However, his ability to contribute on both sides drew even more attention after his injury. Still, head coach Liam Coen remains confident in Hunter.
“[We didn’t draft Hunter] to come in and automatically be our No. 1 receiver and No. 1 corner,” Coen said on “The Schrager Hour” podcast last month. “There’s an adjustment period for any rookie. A huge reason why we took him was because of that competitive spirit, because of that confidence that he oozes… He’s special.”
Beyond his competitiveness, Coen’s also impressed with Hunter’s remarkable stamina.
“His endurance and ability to just run forever is something pretty cool to see when you watch him practice in July or August in the summer, in the heat, and he’s not dying; he’s not crushed; he’s not sweating. It’s like, dude, what are you made of?”
That endurance gives Jacksonville reason to believe Hunter can eventually handle major responsibilities on both sides. For now, though, the Jaguars want to develop him into an elite defensive player before fully unleashing his two-way potential.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.