BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders does not hesitate when asked about his favorite for the Heisman Trophy — he firmly believes it should go to his teammate, Travis Hunter. “He’s the best player in college football, without a doubt,” Sanders stated confidently.

Hunter is a dual-threat talent for the Buffaloes, excelling both as a wide receiver and a cornerback, rarely leaving the field during games. His head coach, Deion Sanders, shares this admiration for Hunter but questions why his son, Shedeur, is not receiving equal recognition. As per BetMGM Sportsbook, while Hunter ranks among the top three contenders for the Heisman, Shedeur remains a long shot.

“He’s so tremendously talented that we often overlook the contributions he makes,” said Deion Sanders after Colorado’s 34-23 win over Cincinnati, which secured bowl eligibility for the 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (6-2, 4-1 Big 12). “They don’t even mention his name in the Heisman discussion. Oh, wait—he’s my son, so maybe that’s the reason.”

Colorado’s only previous Heisman winner, Rashaan Salaam, achieved this honor in 1994 when he accumulated 2,055 rushing yards. Other notable players from Colorado, such as Byron “Whizzer” White in 1937 and Eric Bieniemy in 1990, have historically finished in the top three for the award as well.

Both Hunter and Shedeur further bolstered their credentials with standout performances in the recent matchup. Hunter was notably impactful, participating in 68 out of 71 offensive snaps, 61 defensive snaps, and even contributing on special teams. He recorded four pass breakups as a cornerback and impressed on offense with nine receptions for a career-high 153 yards and two touchdowns, one celebrated with a backflip.

In recognition of his outstanding play, Hunter was announced as the Big 12 Conference’s offensive player of the week, marking a historic moment as the first player to win both offensive and defensive weekly awards in the conference’s history, having received the defensive honor just last month.