As the season winds down, Shedeur Sanders’ NFL stock is also steadily rising. Pro Football Network has the signal-caller going fourth overall in our latest mock draft, and his teammate, wide receiver Travis Hunter, a former No. 1 high school prospect, going first overall.
Along with being projected to be first-round picks, both are also in the race for the Heisman Trophy this season. Together, they have led the Colorado Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 B12) to a relatively successful season.
Shedeur Sanders Reasserts His Stance on Travis Hunter
While the Heisman Trophy is usually awarded to quarterbacks, Hunter has had some phenomenal plays on both offense and defense. With 82 receptions, 1,039 yards, and 11 touchdowns, along with 30 total tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions, and a forced fumble, he is the favorite for oddsmakers to win the trophy.
According to BetMGM, Hunter has -400 odds of winning, which has put him ahead of Miami QB Cam Ward and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Shedeur, with 3,488 yards, 30 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, is ninth on the list.
While Shedeur has great stats of his own, he also believes that Hunter is the better player. On Tuesday, he tweeted:
“@TravisHunterJr is the best player in college football.”
@TravisHunterJr is the best player in college football
— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) November 26, 2024
Deion Sanders Jr., Coach Prime’s oldest son, who has been extensively covering Colorado’s season on his YouTube channel, doubled down on the QB’s statement by reposting the tweet.
Shedeur has repeatedly talked of Hunter’s potential, including in ESPN’s press conference call on Thursday, where he said:
“Travis Hunter should win the Heisman (Trophy). That is it. I think he’s deserving of it. If it’s between me and him, I want him to get it. He does a lot of amazing things and things that haven’t been done before. I’m not a selfish guy. I know what he’s capable of, so I would rather him win.”
Hunter, on the conference call before the QB, talked about the Heisman race between him and Shedeur:
“If either one of us wins it’s the same team, same school. We have the same goals. If he wins it, I will be super happy just like I won it because I have worked hard to help him get there, and if I win it, everybody helped me get there.”
The two have created a brotherhood in their two years at Colorado together. Two weeks ago, after the Buffs’ win over the Utah Utes, Hunter posted a picture with Shedeur, alongside the caption:
“God gave me a Brother🤞”
Travis Hunter’s new Instagram post, showing love to Shedeur Sanders.
“God gave me a Brother”🙏 pic.twitter.com/vi0FS0nVDe
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) November 17, 2024
The Buffaloes’ only Heisman winner came in 1994 when RB Rashaan Salaam took home the trophy. So, to see two Colorado players competing for the award and openly supporting each other is something rare for the team as well as college football on the whole.