Travis Hunter Breaks Silence on Claims He Baited C.J. Stroud With ‘Fake Stumble’ Trick

Travis Hunter's fourth-quarter interception of C.J. Stroud quickly became one of the most talked-about plays of the week. Social media users claimed Hunter once explained a "fake stumble" trick while at Colorado.

Travis Hunter now is getting the allegation that he used his old trick in the fourth-quarter interception of C.J. Stroud.

Travis Hunter responds to "fake stumble" allegation

In the fourth quarter of the Jacksonville Jaguars ' game against the Houston Texans , Travis Hunter made a game-changing defensive play. Houston led 31-28 after Hunter himself had scored a 7-yard touchdown reception earlier in the period. On the Texans' next drive, a 12-play, 63-yard march that pushed deep into Jacksonville territory, C.J. Stroud threw a pass toward the end zone with 3:59 remaining. Hunter, lining up at cornerback, broke on the ball and intercepted it.

Some viewers claimed Hunter appeared to briefly lower his body and lean off-balance just before reacting, which fueled speculation that he had intentionally baited Stroud. Hunter addressed the rumors directly in a press conference. He flatly denied ever describing or using such a technique.

"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." Hunter said.

Analysts and fans piled on, with some calling the technique "genius" and suggesting other defensive backs should copy it.

Social media were quick to build a narrative. "Genius: Travis Hunter revealed that he does a fake stumble to trick QBs into throwing his way, and CJ Stroud immediately fell for it." NFL insider Dov Kleiman posted .

The Football Forever account added more detail. "While at Colorado, Travis Hunter explained how he 'fake stumbles' to trick QBs into throwing the ball – he says he intentionally squats low and leans over, looking off-center to make it seem like he tripped or got caught slipping, a method he used to intercept C.J. Stroud," it wrote .

These claims linked the interception to comments Hunter supposedly made during his college career at Colorado. Analysts and fans piled on, with some calling the technique "genius" and suggesting other defensive backs should copy it. One podcast host described the play as one of the "craziest" he had ever seen, claiming Hunter pretended to slip and looked away to bait the throw.