Travis Hunter, a standout two-way player from Colorado, has been awarded the Heisman Trophy, recognizing him as the premier athlete in college football.

Travis Hunter transformed every play into a spectacle, excelling on both offense and defense, ultimately earning the prestigious Heisman Trophy. He now holds an advantage over his celebrity coach at Colorado. The two-way standout claimed college football's highest honor on Saturday night, capping off a remarkable season characterized by his exceptional skill set. "I never imagined I would find myself in this position," a visibly emotional Hunter expressed while extending his gratitude to his fiancée, family, and both past and present coaches. "It’s unbelievable. Belief can take you far." During the past two days, while posing for numerous photographs with the iconic trophy, Hunter deliberately refrained from touching the Heisman until it was officially his. Once he received it, he grasped the trophy firmly with both hands and joyfully exclaimed, "Let’s go!" His next destination was a local venue he had reserved to celebrate with his teammates. "I typically prefer not to stay out late, but tonight will be different," Hunter remarked with a grin. As a standout wide receiver and formidable cornerback, Hunter excelled under coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, joining the late running back Rashaan Salaam as the only Heisman winners in the school's history. He garnered 552 first-place votes and a total of 2,231 points, securing a decisive victory. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty finished as the runner-up with 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points, marking the closest margin since 2009.

Hunter achieved an impressive 80.14% of the available points, ranking as the 11th highest in the history of the Heisman Trophy. He became only the second full-time defensive player to win this prestigious award, joining Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson, who won in 1997. While Woodson contributed significantly as a wide receiver, he did not participate in offensive plays to the extent that Hunter did. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel secured third place, while Miami quarterback Cam Ward finished fourth in the voting for the 90th Heisman Trophy, which has been awarded annually since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding player. This year's ceremony took place at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, with Sanders in attendance. Notably, this marked only the fifth instance this century in which a quarterback did not win the award. The last occurrence of no quarterback finishing in the top two was in 2015, when running backs Derrick Henry from Alabama and Christian McCaffrey took the first and second spots, respectively. Additionally, Hunter was named The Associated Press Player of the Year among several other individual accolades this week. He played a pivotal role in Colorado's remarkable turnaround, improving from a 4-8 record in 2023—during which he missed 3.5 games due to injuries—to a 9-3 record in Sanders' second season. The 20th-ranked Buffaloes earned their first bowl invitation in four years and are set to compete against No. 17 BYU (10-2) in the Alamo Bowl on December 28. Hunter has committed to participating in the game rather than opting out to prepare for the NFL draft, a common practice among top prospects to avoid potential injuries. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior from Suwanee, Georgia, intends to forgo his senior season at Boulder and is projected to be a top-five pick, possibly even the first overall selection. “He aspires to excel in all aspects,” Sanders remarked. “He is dedicated to achieving excellence in everything he undertakes—including fishing.” Demonstrating his remarkable speed and dynamic playmaking ability, Hunter was a constant presence on the field this year, embodying the essence of a true two-way player, a rarity in recent decades. Offensively, he recorded 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown. Defensively, he made four interceptions.

Throughout the game, Hunter celebrated significant plays alongside his teammates by striking the Heisman pose, solidifying his status as the player to surpass. 

“I certainly have the ability to kick as well; I just need to practice,” he remarked. “I find it difficult to remain still when I’m not on the field.” Hunter participated in nearly 700 snaps on both offense and defense, making him the only player in the Power Four conference to achieve over 30 snaps on each side, as per Colorado's research. This level of exertion would typically be deemed excessively taxing for any athlete today, both mentally and physically, yet Hunter thrived under the pressure. “I believe I have paved the way for others to excel in dual roles,” he stated on Friday. “It all begins with your mindset. If you have faith in your abilities, you can achieve them. Additionally, I prioritize treatment and recovery to maintain my physical condition.” 

As the top recruit in the 2022 class, Hunter surprised many when he chose to play for Coach Sanders at Jackson State, an HBCU competing in the lower-tier FCS, with the commitment to play on both offense and defense. “Many doubted my capabilities,” Hunter shared, dressed in white shoes and a light blue suit—his preferred color. “I always aim to prove them wrong while affirming my own potential.” After one season, Hunter transitioned with Sanders to Colorado, where he earned consensus All-America honors as an all-purpose player last year, despite missing three games due to a lacerated liver from a late hit.

Following his recovery, a revitalized Hunter concluded the 2023 season strongly and truly excelled this year, catching passes from Shedeur Sanders, the coach’s son, and becoming Colorado’s first Heisman Trophy finalist in three decades. At 21 years old, Hunter, who is set to marry in May, is the sixth transfer to receive the award in the past eight years and the first winner to have started his career in the FCS. “Look at where I am now; it has all been worthwhile,” Hunter remarked. “I aimed to be different,” he added later. “Embracing my uniqueness empowers me.”