Travis Hunter: From Prime Recruit to Heisman Glory

 

Travis Hunter: From Prime Recruit to Heisman Glory

NEW YORK — Travis Hunter turned every play into prime time this season, dominating on both sides of the ball and ultimately winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy—college football's most prestigious award. His tireless performance for the Colorado Buffaloes, under the leadership of coach Deion Sanders, earned him a place in history as one of the most dynamic players the sport has ever seen.

“I never thought I would be in this position,” Hunter said tearfully, clutching the trophy with both hands during Saturday night’s ceremony at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. “It’s crazy.”

The two-way star joins Michigan’s Charles Woodson (1997) as one of the few defensive players to ever win the Heisman. Woodson occasionally played offense, but Hunter’s role on both sides of the ball is unparalleled in modern college football. Hunter is only the second Heisman winner in Colorado’s history, following running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994.

A Season for the Ages

Hunter’s 2024 season was nothing short of remarkable. As a wide receiver, he caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. On defense, he recorded four interceptions, 32 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and a game-winning forced fumble in an overtime thriller against Baylor.

Playing a staggering 1,356 snaps this season—484 more than any other FBS player—Hunter showcased his blazing speed and versatility. He was on the field for 84% of Colorado’s total plays, an extraordinary workload that highlighted his mental and physical toughness.

“I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways,” Hunter said. “It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you’ll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery.”

Heisman Voting Results

Hunter’s Heisman win was a close race, garnering 552 first-place votes and 2,231 points. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty finished second with 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points, marking the closest margin of victory since 2009. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s Cam Ward rounded out the top four.

Hunter’s 80.14% of the possible points ranks as the 11th highest in Heisman Trophy history. This year’s ceremony marked only the fifth time in this century that a quarterback didn’t win the award.

Colorado’s Turnaround

Hunter played a crucial role in Colorado’s resurgence. After a 4-8 season in 2023, the Buffaloes finished 9-3 this year and earned their first bowl bid in four years. They will face No. 17 BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. Despite being projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Hunter has pledged to play in the bowl game instead of sitting out to avoid injury.

“He wants to be great at everything,” said Deion Sanders, his coach and mentor. “He wants to have a commitment to excellence in everything he does—including fishing.”

The Journey to Stardom

Rated the country’s top recruit in the 2022 class, Hunter stunned the football world by committing to Jackson State to play under Deion Sanders. After a standout season there, he followed Sanders to Colorado, where he immediately made an impact. Despite missing 3.5 games in 2023 due to a lacerated liver, Hunter’s talent and determination shone through, earning him All-America honors as an all-purpose player.

This season, Hunter truly fulfilled his potential, catching passes from quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Coach Prime’s son) and becoming Colorado’s first Heisman finalist in three decades.

A Legacy Cemented

Hunter’s Heisman Trophy adds to a week full of accolades, including The Associated Press Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player), and the Fred Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver). His accomplishments have cemented his status as one of the greatest two-way players in college football history.

Deion Sanders, nicknamed “Prime Time” during his playing career, finished eighth in the 1988 Heisman voting as a standout at Florida State. While Sanders excelled as an NFL Hall of Fame cornerback and electrifying kick returner, he admits that Hunter has surpassed him in versatility. “Nothing quite like Hunter,” Sanders said. “He now has Heisman bragging rights on Coach Prime forever.”

What’s Next for Hunter?

Hunter plans to declare for the NFL draft after this season, skipping his senior year at Colorado. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, he is projected as the No. 1 overall pick. Beyond football, Hunter’s personal life is also making headlines; he plans to get married in May.

With his historic Heisman win and relentless drive for greatness, Travis Hunter has set a new standard for what’s possible in college football. As he transitions to the next level, the football world will be watching to see how this extraordinary talent continues to redefine the game.