Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter may have been snubbed out of the finalist list for the Jim Thorpe award (given to the top defensive back in all of college football), but the Big 12 conference, nonetheless, surely recognized his value on the defensive side of the ball.
On Thursday, the Big 12 announced Hunter as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. This comes after the cornerback registered one forced fumble, four interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and 32 tackles (21 solo) on the year.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders Dominate Big 12 Awards
The Buffaloes were a much better team than last year, when they finished 4-8 despite starting the season with three straight wins. Hunter missed a few games last season due to injury, but this year, the two-way star was available throughout, which in a major way helped Colorado to finish 9-3 overall and 7-2 in the Big 12.
The Buffaloes were in line to play in the Big 12 Championship Game, but a surprise loss against Kansas in Week 13 left them out of the conference championship on account of tiebreakers.
Nonetheless, the Big 12 took note of the efforts put in by their biggest stars. Not only did the conference name Hunter as the Defensive Player of the Year, but it also named Shedeur Sanders as the Offensive Player of the Year.
Travis Hunter, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.@TravisHunterJr x #HE12MAN pic.twitter.com/GWkqAA2iVU
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 5, 2024
Hunter is a finalist for several awards, including the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards (Player of the Year), the Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year), the Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver) and the Hornung Award (Most Versatile Player).
The most important award, though, and the one everyone anticipates, is the Heisman Trophy. The winner will be announced on Dec. 14, with Hunter the leading front-runner to win it.
Complete List of Big 12 Awards
In addition to Sanders and Hunter, Colorado defensive end BJ Green II won Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Meanwhile, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham took home Coach of the Year honors after leading the Sun Devils to a 10-2 overall record and a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Complete List of Big 12 Awards
1) OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, QB, Jr.
2) DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Travis Hunter, Colorado, DB, Jr.
3) OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, WR, R-So.
4)DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
BJ Green II, Colorado, DE, Senior
5) OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State, QB
6)DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Josiah Trotter, West Virginia, LB
7) SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Will Ferrin, BYU, K, R-Jr.
Jaylin Noel, Iowa State, PR/KR, Sr.
8)OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Wyatt Milum, West Virginia, Sr.
9) DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Brendan Mott, Kansas State, DE, Senior.
10) CHUCK NEINAS COACH OF THE YEAR
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
11) SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech RB, Sr.
Jalon Daniels, Kansas, QB, R-Jr.
Colorado’s two stars capture Big 12 Player of the Year honors. pic.twitter.com/rwC00DK7r7
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) December 5, 2024