Tag: Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter becomes sixth unanimous first-team All-American in Colorado history

Travis Hunter has made more Colorado history

Only days after becoming the second Heisman Trophy winner in Colorado football history, Travis Hunter has entered the program’s record books again.

On Thursday, the NCAA recognized Hunter as a unanimous first-team All-American, meaning the cornerback/wide receiver was a first-team selection on all five of the necessary outlets (Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of American, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp All-American teams).

Because Hunter wasn’t listed on all five exclusively at one of his two primary positions, he’s considered an All-Purpose unanimous first-team All-American.

According to BuffZone’s Brian Howell, Colorado has had five previous unanimous first-team All-Americans: running back Eric Bieniemy (1990), offensive guard Joe Garten (1990), center Jay Leeuwenburg (1991), running back Rashaan Salaam (1994) and tight end Daniel Graham (2001).

Hunter, a projected top-five NFL draft pick, is expected to play in the Buffs’ Alamo Bowl matchup against BYU on Dec. 28.

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Florida State legend Charlie Ward shares advice for Travis Hunter, 2024 Heisman candidates

Heisman Award winner Charlie Ward talked about his advice for Travis Hunter and the 2024 Heisman candidates w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Florida State Seminoles and Heisman Award winner Charlie Ward.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Ward discussed his support for ‘The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC. He also shared advice to this year’s Heisman winner, Travis Hunter, and the candidates before the 2024 ceremony.

“I’m sure there’s some nerves, or there will be, but more importantly, at this moment, they’re enjoying the game,” said Ward. “Very similar to me. When I was here almost 35 years ago, the memories still are there. My family members who are still with us talk about it.

“We have pictures. So for them to be able to be here, whether you win or lose, the memories will always be there, but the winner definitely will change and be more recognizable. It will change you. It won’t change who you are but will change your name and the opportunities you’ll be provided, so that’s a great blessing.”

Ward joined fellow Heisman award winners Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Eric Crouch, and Johnny Rodgers, with pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey for the event curated by Danny Wuerffel’s ‘The Wuerffel Foundation’.

The mission is to counsel and mentor community leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods across the United States and help facilitate introductions to philanthropically-minded supporters.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter beat out Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel, and Cam Ward to be named the 90th Heisman Trophy winner. He will continue a legacy that many, including Charlie, carry today. Hunter is expected to be a highly sought-after prospect in the 2025 NFL draft.

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

NFL mock draft from 33rd Team has Travis Hunter outside the top-5

This seems low, doesn’t it?

Travis Hunter may now be a Heisman Trophy-winner, but for NFL Draft purposes, it feels like he’s a curiosity.

Will he play cornerback mainly? Will he be a mostly full-time wide receiver? Will he play a ton of defense with some offense sprinkled in? We know that he’s an elite athlete, either way.

In our latest NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea, Hunter went first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But in the latest 2024 mock from The 33rd Team, Hunter dropped all the way to No. 7, where the Jets could get him. Here’s the reasoning from Ian Valentino on why:

Another Colorado star lands in the Big Apple as the Jets quickly snatch Travis Hunter up and figure out what to do later.

Hunter profiles best at cornerback with his ball skills, and the Jets don’t have as pressing of a need for a receiver in the meantime. Plus, Sauce Gardner can help Hunter maximize his talent at the position.

There you have it. Make sure to check out the latest NFL mock draft from D’Andrea, along with the up-to-date NFL Draft order.

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Travis Hunter’s Heisman gives state of Colorado an impressive trifecta

The state of Colorado is full of MVPs

Travis Hunter winning the Heisman Trophy was historic for several reasons. It gave the Colorado Buffaloes their second Heisman winner and the state of Colorado a feat that has never done before.

Hunter joins Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon as the best players in their respective sports. This marks the first time a reigning Heisman winner, NBA MVP and Hart Memorial Trophy winner have played for teams in the same state.

Hunter enjoyed a historic season with the Buffs, catching 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense while snagging four interceptions and breaking up 11 passes on defense. Hunter cleaned up in postseason awards, winning the Bednarik Award (best defensive player), the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver) and the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player).

Jokic was named MVP for the third time in the past four seasons in May while MacKinnon pulled in his first Hart Trophy in June.

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Deion Sanders Jr. says Travis Hunter is one of Colorado’s biggest NIL collective donors

Travis Hunter is one of Colorado’s biggest NIL donors, according to Deion Sanders Jr.

Colorado football’s best all-around player is also one of the biggest donors to the program’s NIL (name, image and likeness) collective.

According to Deion Sanders Jr., recent Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter takes no money from Colorado’s collective and instead donates his own NIL earnings to other players.

Here’s what Sanders told former CU offensive lineman Matt McChesney on the “Zero 2 Sixty” podcast:

“Did you know he receives no NIL (money) from the collective?” Sanders said of Hunter. “He’s one of the biggest donors to the collective, meaning he’s paying a lot of others’ NIL on this team. He’s paying at least 10-15 guys’ NIL on the team. He’s donating his own money.”

The exact figures are unknown, but Hunter supporting 10-15 teammates is no small gesture. It speaks to his character and willingness to support those closest to him.

With a Heisman Trophy in hand, Hunter will play in Colorado’s Alamo Bowl matchup against BYU on Dec. 28.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales is asked about Heisman winner Travis Hunter and his 2-way prospects in the NFL

Panthers HC Dave Canales on Travis Hunter’s two-way abilities in the NFL: ‘A good problem to talk through for any team to get a player of that caliber.’

The Carolina Panthers could certainly use another talented wide receiver heading into 2025. They could also use another lockdown cornerback.

But what if they could get both this offseason, and in just one player?

While cleaning up Sunday’s 30-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday afternoon, head coach Dave Canales gave his thoughts on Saturday night’s star—University of Colorado standout Travis Hunter. Hunter, who plays both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, was named this year’s winner of the Heisman Trophy.

Canales was asked about the potential of Hunter continuing his two-way ways into the pros.

“I think about Deion Sanders,” he replied. “He had his way to do it. Coach Prime. And so, he’s kinda right there with somebody who can mentor him through some of that.

“And I think it would be a challenge. I think it would be a good challenge, a good problem to talk through for any team to get a player of that caliber.”

Canales’ 3-11 Panthers may very well be that team. Entering tonight’s doubleheader, which features the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina is currently in the fifth overall position of the 2025 NFL draft.

Hunter, who could be selected behind at least one of two quarterbacks (including his own), should be projected to go anywhere from the first overall pick to the third.

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Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts repeats as AP First Team All-American

This kid is good.

If anyone needed a clear-cut example of who the leader of Notre Dame’s vaunted defense is, they have it now. For the second consecutive season, safety [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] has been named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press. He and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado are the only holdovers from the previous season’s first team.

Although Watts’ five interceptions this season are fewer than the seven he had in 2023, he still leads all safeties in that category. The 12 he has in his collegiate career are the most for any Irish player since 1996.

He also has one fumble recovery this season, making him responsible for six of the 28 Irish takeaways that the lead the country. None were more explosive than the first 100-yard interception return in Irish history that might have been the most memorable touchdown of the victory over USC, and there were quite a few scores in that game:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3nlB9YIJFAI

Congratulations to Watts on this honor, and best of luck to him on the rest of the season.

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Charles Woodson on Travis Hunter: ‘You are what the Heisman Trophy is all about’

Fellow Heisman winner Charles Woodson shared some kind words on Travis Hunter

From Angel Reese to Kurt Warner, the sports world has been busy this weekend congratulating Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter on winning the Heisman Trophy.

On Sunday, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Michigan Wolverines great Charles Woodson became the latest big name to share their thoughts on Hunter’s achievement. Woodson, who also played both ways during his 1997 Heisman Trophy-winning season, said he was “in awe” watching Hunter this fall.

“Travis Hunter is a special player, there’s no two ways about it,” Woodson said on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff.” “It brought me great joy seeing you up on that stage last night because you are what the Heisman Trophy is all about. It’s not about the best running back, it’s not about the best receiver, it’s not about the best quarterback. It’s about the best player, and you were that. Coach Prime, shoutout to you for allowing us to witness the greatness that it was Travis Hunter this year, allowing him to play offense and defense. You went out there each and every game and made all the plays, so congratulations to you.”

Colorado fans will get another chance to watch Hunter later this month with the Buffs set to challenge BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. Hunter will become the sixth Heisman winner to play in the Alamo Bowl, joining Woodson, Robert Griffin III, Eric Crouch, Marcus Mariota and Caleb Williams. Only Griffin played in the Alamo Bowl the same year he won the Heisman, however.

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Through the lens: Best pictures from Travis Hunter’s special night in NYC

Check out the best photos from Travis Hunter’s special night in New York City

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter was honored with the 2024 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. The two-way phenom was one of, if not the most, talked-about players in the country this season, and his efforts earned him the highest individual honor in college football.

Hunter played at an elite level on both sides of the ball this season, garnering comparisons across sports to other two-way stars such as Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Beating out other finalists Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Hunter became the second player in Colorado football history to win the Heisman.

Check out the best photographs from Saturday’s Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City:

Lions have drafted more Heisman Trophy winners than any other team

The Detroit Lions have drafted more Heisman winners than any other team. Can you name all 10?

Congratulations to Colorado’s Travis Hunter, the winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Hunter becomes the 89th winner of college football’s most prestigious award.

Hunter now progresses to the 2025 NFL Draft, where he is expected to be a top-5 overall pick. That will preclude Hunter from joining the long history of Heisman winners who were drafted by the Detroit Lions.

No team has drafted more Heisman Trophy winners over the years than the Lions. Detroit has selected 10 Heisman winners over the years, including two of the first three. It’s been 35 years since the last one, however; Detroit hasn’t drafted a Heisman winner since selecting Barry Sanders and Andre Ware back-to-back in 1989 and 1990.

All of the Heisman Trophy winners drafted by the Lions over the years, with the year of selection:

1937 – Larry Kelly
1938 – Clint Frank
1943 – Frankie Sinkwich
1947 – Glenn Davis
1950 – Leon Hart
1956 – Howard Cassady
1970 – Steve Owens
1980 – Billy Sims
1989 – Barry Sanders
1990 – Andre Ware

The history of Heisman Trophy winners in the NFL Draft