With the final few college football games remaining, the Heisman Trophy race and the debate surrounding it have started to heat up. Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter is leading debates as the favorite, followed by Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty.
However, when former No. 1 overall pick and Heisman winner Jameis Winston was asked who he thought the winner should be, he pulled a rabbit out of the hat.
Jameis Winston Names Shedeur Sanders for Heisman Winner Over Travis Hunter
From one quarterback to another, Winston knows how hard the position can be. And that’s why he believes while the narrative around Hunter is all true, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders hasn’t really received due credit when speaking about Heisman Trophy conversations.
When host Rich Eisen asked Winston on The Rich Eisen Show who he’d pick for this year’s Heisman, the Cleveland Browns quarterback named Sanders ahead of Hunter — and had his reasons.
“I know Travis Hunter is a superstar, and what I like hearing about him, more than just his skill on the field, is his character — who he is off the field,” Winston said.
“He’s not going to parties or getting involved in anything unnecessary to being an all-star athlete. But I probably would pick Shedeur over him. I’m just saying Shedeur is the one giving Travis these opportunities on the football field. What Shedeur is doing in that conference is more electrifying.
“Hunter’s making his case as Charles Woodson-type talent, but Shedeur’s leadership and performances on the field make him my pick,” Winston added.
Winston Applauds Sanders for Turning Around Colorado Program
Shedeur Sanders transferred out of Jackson State to join Colorado along with his father, Deion Sanders, brother Shilo Sanders, and cornerback and wide receiver Hunter ahead of the 2023 season.
Shedeur’s first year was disappointing for the team, with the team ending its campaign at 4-8 after winning three straight games.
With pressure mounting upon him ahead of draft year, Shedeur’s performance helped Colorado secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. Such was their position before their game against Kansas, in which they suffered a 37-21 upset loss; they were on track to appear in a conference championship game.
Winston, meanwhile, didn’t just stop at hailing Sanders as a Heisman candidate. He further praised the superstar for his elite performance game after game. Winston credited the Buffaloes’ signal-caller for transforming the lesser program to mainstream.
“I remember growing up and watching Colorado, and as a quarterback, for Shedeur to change the whole culture of his team, to go out there and put in great performances game after game, despite the outcome, it’s incredible,” Winston said.
“Shedeur Sanders is playing some of the most elite football I’ve seen from a college perspective. I’m so grateful to talk about him because people doubted him, especially coming from an HBCU and playing for his dad’s team in high school.
“To see him rise above all the challenges and take them on one by one, it’s inspiring. I know their record might affect some of the voting, but the way he’s been leading, under the shadow of his father’s legacy, staying poised, consistent, and just doing his job. That’s been more fun to watch from a quarterback’s perspective than even the incredible God-given abilities that Travis Hunter has shown.”
For Sanders, the Heisman doesn’t matter as much as winning. Regardless, it’s very possible he becomes the first quarterback off the draft board next April.