NEW YORK — Travis Hunter has made waves as he captured the prestigious Heisman Trophy, shining brightly on both offense and defense throughout the college football season. This two-way star’s outstanding performance has solidified his place in the spotlight, and he now enjoys a superior status over his coach at Colorado.
The 20-year-old Hunter expressed his disbelief and gratitude in a heartfelt speech, thanking a long list of supporters, including his fiancée, family, and coaches. “Never thought I would be in this position,” he shared while emotional. “It’s crazy. Belief takes you a long way.”
After a whirlwind of photos with the Heisman Trophy, Hunter did not touch the iconic award until it officially belonged to him. When that moment arrived, he embraced it with excitement, exclaiming, “Let’s go!” His evening plans included a celebration at a local venue with his teammates. “I don’t like to be out late, but I’m going to be out late tonight,” he added with a grin.
As a star wide receiver and formidable cornerback, Hunter distinguished himself under Coach Deion Sanders, joining late running back Rashaan Salaam as the only Heisman winners in the history of the University of Colorado. He received an impressive 552 first-place votes and amassed a total of 2,231 points, ensuring a strong lead in the competition. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty trailed in second place with 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points, marking the narrowest margin since 2009.
Hunter’s decision to make a mark in history is significant; he earned 80.14% of the total possible points, ranking as the 11th highest in Heisman history. Notably, he joins Michigan’s Charles Woodson as one of only two full-time defensive players to win the award. Woodson contributed to both offense and defense but did not play as extensively on offense as Hunter did.
Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s Cam Ward secured the third and fourth places respectively in the voting for this year’s Heisman Trophy. This ceremony, conducted at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, also saw Coach Sanders in attendance. Surprisingly, it was only the fifth time this century that the Heisman didn’t go to a quarterback, the last instance being in 2015.
Hunter’s achievements this week also included being recognized as The Associated Press Player of the Year among various accolades. His impactful performance contributed to a remarkable turnaround for Colorado, transforming them from a 4-8 record in 2023 to 9-3 this season under Sanders’ leadership. The Buffaloes, now ranked 20th, have earned a bowl bid for the first time in four years, set to compete against No. 17 BYU on December 28 in the Alamo Bowl.
Emphasizing his commitment to play in the bowl game rather than preparing for the NFL draft, Hunter is determined to remain on the field, sidestepping the trend of many top prospects withdrawing to prevent injuries. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior from Suwanee, Georgia, is poised to enter the draft after bypassing his senior year and is anticipated to be a top-five selection, potentially the first pick overall.
Sanders praised Hunter’s relentless desire for excellence, acknowledging his dedication to improving in all aspects of life, stating, “He wants to be great at everything.” Hunter’s explosive talent and speed were demonstrated this season, as he became a player who rarely left the field, seamlessly excelling both offensively and defensively.
His offensive stats include 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, in addition to a rushing touchdown. Defensively, he recorded four interceptions, 32 tackles, broke up 11 passes, and forced a crucial fumble that clinched an overtime victory against Baylor.
As the Buffaloes continued to thrive in games and pursued a Big 12 championship, Hunter transformed from an underdog in Heisman discussions to a front-runner in the betting odds. Celebrating every significant play with teammates further highlighted his rise.
Hunter also shared his aspirations of broadening his skills, stating, “I definitely can kick, (too). I’ve just got to practice,” and emphasized his relentless drive to keep moving, even off the field.
Remarkably, he participated in nearly 700 snaps on both offense and defense this season, distinguishing himself as the only Power Four conference player to do so. While such a demanding workload could prove exhausting for many players, Hunter remained unphased.
“I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways,” he reflected, attributing his success to a mindset grounded in belief and a commitment to physical recovery.
Rated as the nation’s top recruit in the 2022 class, Hunter surprised many by choosing to play for Sanders at Jackson State, a lower-level FCS school, with the understanding that he could play both offense and defense. “A lot of people told me I couldn’t do it,” he recounted, emphasizing his determination to prove them wrong.
After just one season, Hunter followed Sanders to Colorado, achieving consensus All-America status despite missing games due to injury. Following his recovery, he thrived in the current season, catching passes from Shedeur Sanders, the coach’s son, making him Colorado’s first Heisman finalist in three decades.
The 21-year-old Hunter, who is set to marry in May, becomes the sixth transfer to win the award in the past eight years and is the first winner to have originated in the FCS. “Look where I’m at. It paid off,” he concluded, highlighting the significance of his journey.
“I wanted to be different,” he added, “Me being different makes me feel more comfortable than doing the norm.”
Deion Sanders, widely known as “Prime Time,” had his own remarkable playing career, but nothing quite compares to Hunter’s unique accomplishments, providing his coach with a formidable legacy to accompany his name in the annals of college football history.
