‘Nobody wants to…’ – Travis Hunter reveals if he intentionally used a fake stumble on CJ Stroud

Travis Hunter has denied deliberately pretending to stumble to trick Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud into throwing an interception during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ recent defeat.

The Jaguars rookie became the centre of attention after intercepting Stroud in the end zone, with viral social media posts claiming he had intentionally made himself look off balance to fool the quarterback.

Hunter has now addressed the speculation, insisting he never claimed to use such a tactic and explaining what he was trying to do on the play.

Travis Hunter shuts down fake stumble claims after viral interception

Speaking to reporters, Hunter said: “No, I’ve never said that. I don’t know. They just be making up stuff. I’ve never said that. Nobody wants to stumble and try to make it look like something it’s not. My coach told me to burn, so I felt like I was me. I put my eyes down and got to the minute as fast as I can.”

The rumours gained traction after NFL insider Dov Kleiman and other social media accounts suggested Hunter had previously explained how he used fake stumbles to deceive quarterbacks.

However, the reference material indicates the claims stemmed from posts interpreting his previous interviews rather than a confirmed admission from the Jaguars star.

Hunter’s interception came during a dramatic fourth quarter against Houston. After catching a seven-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to bring Jacksonville within three points, the cornerback intercepted Stroud in the end zone on the Texans’ next possession.

The Jaguars eventually lost 34-31, but Hunter’s performance highlighted his ability to contribute on both sides of the ball.

He finished the game with four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown, alongside the interception that gave Jacksonville another opportunity to complete their comeback.

Hunter’s performance also arrived amid wider scrutiny over his role in Jacksonville. The second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has faced criticism over his limited offensive workload, with the Jaguars prioritising his development as a cornerback.

Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has explained that Hunter’s involvement as a receiver will vary from game to game as the team looks to develop his skill set while managing his defensive responsibilities.

Jacksonville will now prepare for its next matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, with Hunter’s growing role and recent performance likely to remain talking points.

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