On Saturday evening, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter was announced as the winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious individual award.
The two-way phenom becomes the second player in Colorado history to be honored as the nation’s top player, joining the late Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994.
Hunter had a season for the ages, guiding the Buffs on offense and defense to a 9-3 regular season and No. 23 spot in the final College Football Playoff rankings. Consistently flashing some of the best pure receiver skills in the nation, Hunter reeled in 92 catches (fifth nationally) for 1,152 yards (sixth) and 14 touchdowns (second).
Hunter’s success on offense only marked half of his contributions. The junior was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year following a lockdown season at cornerback, in which he collected four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and allowed only 22 receptions on 39 targets.
The projected top-five NFL draft pick displayed innate value throughout CU’s successful season, making difficult catches on a weekly basis and coming up with massive plays on defense, including a game-sealing forced fumble against Baylor.
While Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel each had honorable seasons of their own and were named Heisman finalists, Hunter’s unprecedented play helped him reach the pinnacle of individual achievement in college football.
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