Travis Hunter capped off his regular season for the Colorado Buffaloes with a Heisman-worthy performance. He delivered three touchdowns and an interception and was instrumental in the 52-0 demolition of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
A potential high first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter was loved by fans in his final game at Boulder, with chants of “Heisman!” echoing all over Folsom Field. The two-way Colorado star signed autographs and celebrated with his fiancée, Leanna Lenee, after doing everything that he could to win the Heisman Trophy.
Not Everyone Is a Fan of Heisman Favorite Travis Hunter
Hunter’s season stats are jaw-dropping. His 92 receptions, 1,152 yards, 14 touchdowns on the offensive front, plus 31 total tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble on the defensive side cement his Heisman front-runner status. However, not everyone is on board the Hunter hype train.
The Oregon Ducks’ mascot was in the spotlight on “The Pat McAfee Show,” taking aim at Hunter’s Heisman campaign. Armed with only a whiteboard, “The Duck” fired off anti-Hunter messages, saying, “Snaps ain’t a stat though.”
"Snaps ain't a stat though."@TheOregonDuck writes to @PatMcAfeeShow that Ashton Jeanty should be the Heisman over Travis Hunter 👀 pic.twitter.com/jy8v56BFZN
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 5, 2024
The shade from the mascot brought out laughter and debate among McAfee’s co-hosts, with McAfee himself coming to Hunter’s defense, stressing the tiring nature of playing 100+ snaps per game.
Hunter’s case for the Heisman is as unique as it is impressive. He played 84% of Colorado’s snaps this season. The two-way powerhouse ranks top-five nationally in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches.
Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders has been one of Hunter’s loudest advocates. After Colorado’s season-ending win, Sanders declared, “Travis clinched the Heisman with his performance.”
“He should have had another pick and hit him right in the darn chest. I’m not happy with that, but I’m happy with him,” Sanders continued.
Hunter was Sanders’ best asset in his arsenal, and he helped the Buffaloes go from a 4-8 team in 2023 to a 9-3 powerhouse this year. While Hunter’s Heisman hopes dominate headlines, his NFL future is equally intriguing. He is projected as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
His ability to excel as both a top wide receiver and a lockdown cornerback makes him a generational talent and may go a long way in determining his Heisman fortune. The Heisman ceremony is set for Dec. 14 on ESPN, and the 21-year-old faces tough competition from Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
