Hello Heisman! Travis Hunter, Colorado’s standout wide receiver and cornerback, was awarded the 2024 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night during a ceremony in Manhattan, New York. Hunter became the first two-way player to win the prestigious honor since Charles Woodson in 1997 and the second player in Colorado Buffaloes history, joining Rashaan Salaam, who claimed the award in 1994.
“I never thought I’d be in this position. It’s crazy!” Hunter said during his acceptance speech. “Your belief will take you a long way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Photo Cred: CU
Hunter continued by expressing gratitude for his support system. “First, I want to thank my fiancée and my mother. They’ve been with me since I had surgery during my first year of college. They never left my side. Through all the hard hours, the tough days, and the moments I didn’t want to get out of bed or even think about football, they stayed with me.”
“I’m so thankful for my mom. She took me out of a bad situation in Florida, where I was always getting into trouble, and gave me the chance to change my life. Now, look where I’m at—it’s crazy! I also want to thank Coach Prime and Shedeur [Sanders]. Y’all changed my life forever.”
The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding college football player, is determined by a vote of sportswriters, broadcasters, and former Heisman winners. Hunter topped a field of finalists that included Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami quarterback Cam Ward, and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Hunter secured 2,231 votes, narrowly edging out Jeanty, who finished second with 2,017 votes. As a cornerback and wide receiver, Hunter is a star on both sides of the ball for Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes. He played a remarkable 1,443 snaps—roughly split evenly between offense and defense, plus a few more on special teams—across 12 games for Colorado this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Photo Cred: CU
This kind of versatility places Hunter in an exclusive club in college football history, strengthening his Heisman case. Aside from Woodson, who was primarily a defensive back at Michigan, you have to look back several decades to find a player who made such an impact on both sides of the ball in a single season. Hunter earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as both a defensive back and a wide receiver, while also being named the conference’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 15 passes defended (tied for fifth in the FBS), four interceptions, and a game-winning forced fumble. On offense, Hunter ranks fifth in the FBS with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards (sixth) and 14 touchdowns (second). He had three games with 10 or more catches and seven outings with 100 or more receiving yards. He also ran for a touchdown against Utah.
“You’ve got to give me another definition of the award,” Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said. “The award is supposed to go to who? The best quarterback? I don’t know how anyone else could match what Travis has done. He’s been in the running for best offensive player, best defensive player, best receiver. Who else has ever done that?”
Hunter’s historic achievement caps off a remarkable season for the Buffaloes and underscores his impact as one of the most versatile players in college football history. The 21-year-old Hunter is the sixth transfer to take the award over the past eight years and the first winner to begin his career in the FCS. Rashaan Salaam is the only other Colorado player to capture the Heisman. Salaam won it in 1994 after rushing for 2,055 yards.
