BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Travis Hunter is a throwback-type player — an elite receiver one moment, a lockdown cornerback the next — who rarely leaves the field and has a knack for making big plays all over it.
The Colorado Buffaloes’ two-way standout (see: unicorn) even celebrates at an elite level, unveiling imaginative dance moves following touchdowns and interceptions,some of which include the Heisman Trophy pose. It’s one of the many awards he’s in line to win.
Hunter is the Associated Press college football player of the year, receiving 26 of 43 votes Thursday from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes and arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote.
Later Thursday, hunter won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player.
jeanty won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back after leading the nation with 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Georgia’s Jalon Walker won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker, heading into the playoffs with 57 tackles, including 6 1/2 sacks and 10 1/2 tackles for loss. Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was the Outland Trophy winner as the top interior lineman.
Penn State’s Tyler Warren won the John Mackey Award given to the most outstanding tight end after setting school single-season records with 67 catches for 808 yards.
alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe won the William V. Campbell Award as the top scholar-athlete. Oregon leading tackler Bryce Boettcher captured the Burlsworth Trophy as the best player who started his career as a walk-on.
But the biggest winner was Hunter.
A player with his particular set of skills doesn’t come around that frequently enough. He’s a flashback to the days of Charles Woodson at Michigan or Champ Bailey at Georgia. Or even his coach, Deion Sanders, a two-way star in the NFL.
“Coach Prime was the only coach who would consider allowing me to do what I’m doing,” said Hunter, who’s expected to be a top-five pick next spring in the NFL draft, possibly even the No. 1 overall selection. “He did it and knows what it takes — how much you have to be ready on both sides of the ball.”
“I’m motivated when people tell me I can’t do something,” Hunter said.“That I can’t dominate on both sides of the ball. I want to be an example for others that anything is possible. Keep pursuing your dreams.”
Hunter helped the 20th-ranked Buffaloes
Hunter has already won a second straight Paul Hornung award as the game’s most versatile player. he’s up for the walter Camp (player of the year), maxwell (most outstanding player), the Biletnikoff (best receiver) and Bednarik (top defensive player) awards.
And, of course, the Heisman, where he’s the odds-on favorite to win over Jeanty this weekend. Hunter can join the late Rashaan Salaam as the only Colorado players to capture the Heisman. Salaam won it in 1994 after rushing for 2,055 yards.
Hunter’s high school coach, Lenny Gregory, knew he had a special player the summer of Hunter’s freshman year. Gregory, then the coach at Collins Hill in Georgia, had a conditioning test for his players — run six 200-yard dashes with a minute of rest in between. Defensive backs had to complete each in under 32 seconds.
Hunter finished the regular season with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, he had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced one crucial fumble, which secured an OT win over Baylor.
Hunter had 92 receptions and allowed 22. He hauled in 14 receiving TDs and allowed just one.He was responsible for 53 first downs and gave up just six. He was targeted 119 times by quarterback Shedeur Sanders & Co. but only 39 times by opposing QBs.
Hunter’s likely final game in Boulder, a rout of Oklahoma State, was a three-touchdown, one-interception performance.
“I’m used to seeing him do all this spectacular stuff,” shedeur Sanders said. “I’m used to all this stuff — you all are just now seeing it on national stage.”
What impact does player versatility have on collage football recruiting strategies?
Interview Transcript: Time.news Editor and College Football Expert
Setting: A stylish office adorned with sports memorabilia. The editor of Time.news, Sara Greene, sits across from college football analyst Dr. Michael Thompson, an expert on player performance and collegiate athletics.
Sara Greene: Welcome, Dr. thompson! Today, we’re diving into the tremendous rise of Travis Hunter and the impact he’s having on college football. His dual-threat capability as both a receiver and a cornerback is quite unique. What do you think makes him stand out as a “throwback-type player”?
Dr. Michael Thompson: Thanks for having me, Sara! Travis Hunter’s versatility is truly remarkable. In today’s game, we see specialization emerging, but Hunter embodies the classic multi-talented athlete. His ability to seamlessly transition from catching touchdowns to locking down receivers showcases not just his skill but also his exceptional football IQ and stamina.He hardly leaves the field, which is a testament to both his physical condition and mental resilience.
Sara Greene: It’s interesting you mention football IQ. How crucial is that in a player who plays both positions?
Dr.Michael Thompson: It’s crucial! A player like Hunter needs to understand not only his role as a receiver—reading defenses and knowing when to make a break—but also how to anticipate opponents’ moves from the cornerback position. This dual understanding allows him to be a step ahead,whether he’s catching the ball or preventing a touchdown.
Sara Greene: Speaking of impact, hunter recently celebrated some big milestones, including being named the Associated Press college football player of the year and winning the Chuck Bednarik Award. What does such recognition mean for a player at this stage in his career?
Dr. Michael Thompson: Recognition on such a scale speaks volumes about his talent. Winning these awards not only solidifies his status as a top player but also elevates his visibility for future prospects, including the NFL.Awards like the Bednarik signify he has not just had a standout season but has consistently performed at a high level against top-tier competition.
Sara Greene: I’ve also heard he has a flair for party, showcasing his personality with imaginative dance moves. How does this affect his image in the eyes of fans and recruiters?
Dr. Michael Thompson: It adds a layer of charisma that resonates with fans, especially in today’s digital age where personality is just as vital as performance. Celebrations can enhance a player’s brand—making them more marketable—and for recruiters, it signals confidence and a distinct presence on the field. Travis is elevating the game on multiple fronts.
Sara Greene: There’s a larger narrative around the evolution of the college football player too. With Hunter breaking conventional roles, do you see this as a trend that might influence future recruiting and player progress strategies?
Dr. Michael Thompson: Absolutely! If programs recognize the value in versatile athletes like Hunter, we might start seeing more recruitment of multi-position players. This could reshape how coaching staff design their training modules, focusing on developing a broader skill set in high school athletes, rather than pigeonholing them into one position.
Sara Greene: That’s a interesting prospect! before we wrap up, what’s your prediction for Travis Hunter’s future? Do you see him making a successful transition into the NFL?
Dr. Michael Thompson: If he continues to develop and maintain his current trajectory, I’d say he has a strong chance of succeeding at the next level. His unique skills as a dual-threat player are rare in the league; teams are always searching for game-changers. If he combines top-level performance with a strong work ethic, it could lead to a promising NFL career.
Sara Greene: Thank you, Dr. Thompson! Your insights into travis Hunter’s exceptional talent and the future of college football have been enlightening. it’ll be exciting to see how his story unfolds!
Dr. Michael Thompson: My pleasure, Sara! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Travis and college football as a whole.