![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/1200x628-final-40-1.png?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/1200x628-final-40-1.png?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: Imago
The college football trash talk season is upon us, and this time, star player Travis Hunter is in the crosshairs! EA Sports recently released their top 100 player rankings, and Hunter landed a sweet spot: #6 overall and #1 wide receiver with a whopping 95 rating!
That’s some serious recognition, but it also caught the Norvell family’s attention (and maybe some jealousy).
Jaden Norvell, son of CSU head coach Jay Norvell, commented on a post referencing the EA Sports rankings, “Blackburn 99 hit power Travis Hunter strength should be a 5 hit the weight room.” This was an apparent jab at Hunter and a shout-out for CSU’s defensive back, Henry Blackburn. Remember that brutal hit Blackburn landed on Hunter last season? It was so bad it earned a personal foul and left Hunter with a lacerated liver, forcing him to miss three games.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Henry Blackburn was assessed a personal foul after this late hit on Travis Hunter. pic.twitter.com/0avKi1erLU
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2023
So, what’s Jaden trying to say? He thinks Blackburn’s hit deserved a near-perfect “hit power” rating, claiming it was a clean tackle. And he’s throwing some shade at Hunter’s physique, suggesting he needs to hit the gym harder to take hits like that. This whole situation is a little disrespectful, but it’s not surprising. After all, it’s a Norvell’s family affair!
Last year, Jay Norvell told Buffs’ coach Deion Sanders to “act like a grown-up” and take off his sunglasses during a press conference. Coach Prime took that personally, motivating his team to crush CSU 43-35. Now, it seems the Hunter-Jaden drama is adding fuel to the fire between Coach Prime and Jay Norvell.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But fear not. The bulked-up Hunter seems ready to face it all this season.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Travis Hunter's weight gain a game-changer, or just another target for his critics?
Have an interesting take?
Travis Hunter bulks up for revenge against CSU
The Big 12 season is almost upon us, and Travis Hunter’s ready to hit the field stronger than ever! Hunter seems to remember the brutal hit from CSU’s DB last season. Thus, he took it to heart and hit the gym hard. The once-lean athlete is bulked up, packing a whopping 185 pounds. He’s not just bulking up; Hunter’s training sessions are impressive. He even wowed his trainers by lifting 300 pounds not once but thrice in a row.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Deion’s confidant, Uncle Neely, raved about Hunter’s progress on his show, saying, “I would say the only thing that has overshadowed the advancement of Shedeur in the offseason is the advancement of Travis Hunter. Travis has put on 17 pounds of muscle he’s faster, leaner looking but bigger looking.”
With this newfound strength, Hunter’s a double threat on the field — he can take a hit and dish one out, too. The September 15 game between CSU and the Colorado Buffaloes will be a must-watch! Can the Buffs get payback for this year’s disrespect, too?
Debate
Is Travis Hunter's weight gain a game-changer, or just another target for his critics?