After two straight seasons of disappointment, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally turned the corner in 2025-26, racking up 13 regular-season wins and earning a home playoff game. While their AFC Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills ended in heartbreak, the franchise is clearly headed in the right direction—and one of the biggest reasons for optimism is a historic young talent poised for a massive sophomore leap.

Fox Sports' Greg Auman has named Jaguars' 22-year-old two-way star Travis Hunter as a prime breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season. Hunter made history last year as the first player in Pro Football Focus history to top the highest-graded rookies list in a single week, showcasing rare versatility as both a wide receiver and cornerback. But his debut season was cut short after just seven games due to a knee injury, limiting him to 28 catches for 298 yards and one touchdown on offense, plus 15 tackles and zero interceptions on defense.

"Hunter's debut season was disappointing on both sides of the ball," Auman wrote. "After seven games, his rookie season ended early with a knee injury, watching as the Jaguars finished 13-4 and won a division title."

The good news? Hunter is on track to be fully recovered by training camp, and his second season should be much simpler. With Jacksonville trading for Jakobi Meyers and extending him, holding onto third-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and watching Parker Washington break out last season, the receiver room is crowded. That means Hunter's clearest path to stardom is on defense.

"Hunter should be an every-down corner," Auman added. "Jacksonville let Greg Newsome leave in free agency and didn't draft a corner, setting Hunter up for a central role."

It's not every day the NFL gets a player who can dominate on both sides of the ball—and with a clear role, a full offseason of recovery, and a team on the rise, Travis Hunter might just be the breakout star that takes the Jaguars even further in 2026-27.