Has CU Buffs star Travis Hunter ended the Heisman Trophy debate? -Boulder Daily Camera

On Friday morning, there were two Heisman Trophy campaigns about 780 miles apart.

Three plays into the game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, Travis Hunter intercepted a pass that resulted in a touchdown. At the same time, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty sliced through Oregon State’s defense for gains of 16 and 7 yards to spark a touchdown drive for the Broncos in Boise, Idaho.

By early afternoon, both had put a cap on Heisman-worthy performances.

Hunter, the one-of-a-kind two-way star, caught 10 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns and led the 25th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) to a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State. He also had this interception and two pass breakups on defense.

Jeanty, meanwhile, rushed 37 times for 226 yards and a touchdown, leading 11th-seeded Boise State (11-1, 7-0 Mountain West) to a 34-18 win over Oregon State.

There are, of course, other Heisman candidates, including quarterbacks Cam Ward (Miami), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) and even CU’s Shedeur Sanders. However, as the season comes to an end, it appears to be a race between Hunter and Jeanty – and perhaps it really won’t be much of a race anymore.

Hunter is the overwhelming favorite among Las Vegas sportsbooks.

When asked if Hunter’s performance was the “closing argument” in his Heisman case, Sanders didn’t hesitate.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter, right, intercepts an Oklahoma State pass at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on November 29, 2024. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

“There is no dispute at this time,” Sanders said. “How many touchdowns? Three receiving touchdowns, one interception. He went another 100 yards.”

CU head coach Deion Sanders was even more emphatic about Hunter being the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

“You’ve never seen this before,” he said of Hunter’s unique ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. “He’s the best player in college football. You could find ways to hate him, criticize him, judge him, and you won’t look professional because now you’re just looking for something.”

Coach Prime is still upset that Hunter was left off the list of finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the best defense in the country. Many consider him the best cornerback in the country, but his exclusion was a surprise.

Hunter’s answer? A game-changing interception on the third snap against Oklahoma State and two more pass breakups.

“Travis Hunter has proven today and every week that he is the best player in college football,” said Coach Prime. “So you have to give me a different definition of the award. What is the definition of award? Who does the prize go to? The best quarterback?”

In recent years, the Heisman has often been chosen for the best quarterback from one of the best teams in the country. The last three winners – and 12 of the last 14 – have been quarterbacks.

In the last 18 years, only two running backs have won it — Alabama’s Mark Ingram II (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015). Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith (2020) is the only non-quarterback or running back to win since 1997, but Smith, of course, didn’t play defense.

Engraved on the trophy itself is a definition: “Awarded annually to the outstanding college football player in the United States.”

There is no doubt that Jeanty is the best running back in the country. He rushed for 2,288 yards and 28 touchdowns for the 11-1 Broncos.

Hunter is now a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver); Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and Lott Impact Award (most influential defensive player); Hornung Award (most versatile player); and the Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards.

Statistically, Hunter ranks in the top five nationally in receptions (92), receiving yards (1,152) and touchdowns (14) on offense and ranks fifth in passes defensed (15, with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups).

“He’s up for a lot of things, right?” said Coach Prime. “Who ever did that?” Always. … Travis is him, man. Travis is that guy.”

Shedeur agrees, but said he won’t belittle Jeanty’s credentials to exaggerate Hunter.

“I just hate it when you have to beat other players down for your guy to win,” he said. “I don’t like that because I respect what Ashton Jeanty is doing at Boise State because he’s doing a great job. I just hate talking down to other people’s achievements or anything like that. I wish everyone could win, but that’s not what it is.”

Shedeur could actually end up as a finalist in New York along with Hunter and Jeanty. He is among the national leaders in major passing categories and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Friday.

However, Shedeur said he will travel to New York whether he is a finalist or not because he is ready to see Hunter shine.

“Travis had a vision (when he decided to transfer to CU in 2023),” Shedeur said. “He is surrounded by the best people who can help him achieve his goal and whatever he wants to do. So obviously it was a great decision for him and I’m just waiting to see him on stage hoisting the Heisman Trophy.”