Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Heisman Trophy ceremony takes place on Saturday evening in New York City, and Colorado two-way sensation Travis Hunter is going to win the award.
It’ll be the first time a non-quarterback has won the Heisman since Alabama’s DeVonta Smith in 2020. Before Smith was Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015.
There’s no denying that Hunter had an incredible season and was a cornerstone reason why the Buffaloes were able to turn around from being one of the worst programs in college football history to a ranked team in just two years.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is likely to be the runner up followed by Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
Here are a few reasons why Hunter will win the Heisman:
Two-way superstar
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) carries for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Playing wide receiver on offense and cornerback on defense is not easy to do. It’s been done before by some players at low-level schools, but it’s even more difficult to perform in both positions at a high level like Hunter has.
Earlier this week, Hunter was named the Chuck Bednarik Award winner for the best defensive player in the nation. He also took home the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the most excellent receiver.
Hunter winning both of these awards is a precursor of what is to come during the Heisman ceremony.
A popularity contest? Maybe. There were other deserving players for each award. But Hunter’s four interceptions, 32 combined tackles and one forced fumble is pretty darn impressive, especially when he’s lining up at receiver when the offense takes the field. He caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Follow the Heisman betting odds
Sep 28, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) strikes the Heisman pose during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeats Washington State 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images Hunter is -2000 to win the Heisman on Saturday. That’s a massive favorite.
Jeanty is +700. The quarterbacks, Ward and Gabriel, are complete longshots.
If sportsbooks had any reasonable doubt that Hunter would not be named the Heisman, he would not be such a heavy favorite. Furthermore, the value on Jeanty at 7/1 odds would not be available. They feel pretty damn good about Hunter winning the Heisman, and you should to.
The Coach Prime Effect
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) with head coach Deion Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images This is real, and Hunter deserves some major credit for Deion Sanders’ early success at Colorado.
Remember, when Coach Prime, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Hunter arrived in Boulder, the Buffaloes were the laughing stock of college football. While Prime brought a media circus surrounding his first few wins, the turnaround happened off the backbones of players like Hunter.
This season, prior to Colorado’s matchup with Kansas, they were the No. 16 ranked team in the nation. The Jayhawks upset the Buffaloes– but if Colorado won that game in blowout fashion? They could have easily snuck themselves into the College Football Playoff conversation, especially after bouncing back with a 52-0 season finale victory against Oklahoma State.
Hunter’s aforementioned two-way stardom deserves a huge chunk of credit for turning around Colorado in just two years. It looked to be an insurmountable task, but his ability to dominate on both sides of the ball got the job done and will be the reason why he hoists the Heisman trophy.
