Travis Hunter For The Heisman

Photo Credentials: The Ralphie Report

In a game that is as physically and mentally challenging as college football, it’s rare to find a player that unequivocally dominates on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

That is what makes Travis Hunter’s performance this year so unprecedented, and also makes him the clear choice for the Heisman Trophy.

Amid speculation that Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2,288 rushing yards, 29 touchdowns) and University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward (4,123 passing yards, 36 touchdowns) were frontrunners for the award, Hunter put on a performance against Oklahoma State University on Saturday that, in the minds of many, cemented his claim for the Heisman.

During Colorado’s 52-0 decimation of the OSU Cowboys, Hunter caught three touchdowns and snagged an interception.

After Hunter was snubbed during selection of finalists for the Jim Thorpe award (presented to the country’s best defensive back) earlier in the week, NFL Hall of Famer and current Buffs’ head coach Deion Sanders praised Hunter’s performance.

“I think Travis clinched the Heisman with his performance,” Sanders said during the post-game press conference. “I think he made a lot of people aware of how ignorant that was with the Thorpe [Award]. He had three touchdowns, 100 yards, and an interception, and two passes broken up…It’s phenomenal.”

Sanders’ sentiments seemed to resonate with sports writers. After Saturday’s game, oddsmakers gave Hunter -10,000 odds to win the Heisman, outpacing the close competitor, Jeanty, by 12,500. 

Washington Post columnist Rick Reilly caused a stir on social media when he posted the following on X:

"If Colorado's Travis Hunter doesn't win the Heisman after the unthinkable year he just had, they need to melt it down, make gold bullets and shoot every writer who didn't vote for him." 

The enthusiasm behind Hunter winning the Heisman is easily understood. No matter what side of the ball he is playing on, his impact on the game is obvious.

Hunter averaged nearly 100 yards per game this season; he tallied seven games of 100 yards receiving or more (and another game where he accumulated 99 receiving yards.) His 14 receiving touchdowns is a Colorado single-season record.

Photo Credentials: The Ralphie Report

This kind of effort is praiseworthy. But when you consider what he does on the defensive side as well, this argument becomes a no-brainer.

Hunter is a shutdown corner, which is a rarity at the college level. Opposing teams are fully aware. According to Sports Illustrated, receivers he matched up with were thrown to less than 10% of the time; that percentage is number two in the nation for defensive players. 

Another rarity is the amount of time Hunter spends on the field. How he plays, and how often he plays, is unprecedented. It is the norm for him to take almost every offensive and defensive snap. Currently, he plays about 200% more snaps than the average starting college football player. In a game as physically imposing as football, this speaks to Hunter’s commitment and tenacity.

Hunter’s path to college football stardom was not an easy one. Born in a poor section of West Palm Beach, Florida, he moved to Suwanee, Georgia, where he lived in a converted motel room with four other family members. But at an early age, he committed to the game of football. To ensure he is being the best person and football player he can be, he doesn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. He volunteers throughout the Boulder, Colorado community, recently participating in a fundraising initiative with other collegiate players that resulted in a donation of over $100,000 to the Children’s Hospital Colorado. He recently bought his mother and stepfather a new home in eastern Georgia. In 2023, he was named a first-team 2023 Academic All-American; he is only the second player in the history of Colorado football to be named first-team All-America and first-team Academic All-America honors. 

"Travis is the epitome of a football player," Sanders told reporters after Colorado defeated Utah, 49-24. "He's a straight-A student. ... He ain't smoking, he ain't getting high, he ain't doing nothing stupid like that or getting drunk. He's a great human being."

I’ve not seen a game like Travis Hunter’s. If we’re being honest, no one has. Hunter has redefined what it means to be completely and emphatically committed to this game. Awarding him the Heisman Trophy will properly, and deservedly, seal his legacy.