Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter made his mark in the 2024 college football season on both sides of the ball. His impact translated to the Buffaloes registering one of their best seasons, finishing 9-3 on the year and 7-2 in the Big 12 conference. Had they not lost to Kansas in Week 13, they were on their way to the conference championship game.
Earlier this, Hunter was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, alongside Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. Among all, Hunter has the best odds to take home the honors.
Travis Hunter Shares Motivation Behind Working Tirelessly
To be named a contender for the best player in college football is itself a big achievement and a big nod to an individual’s work ethic. Contributing on both sides of the ball needs an immense amount of drills, practice, and motivation.
In an interview on “The Pivot Podcast,” the cornerback/wide receiver revealed his secret sauce.
“I try not to focus on other people — I focus on myself first. You know, if my little brother asks me for something, I go get it for him. That’s pretty much my main focus right now: to help my siblings. I just keep pushing myself as far as I can so they can see and follow my footsteps to the point where they don’t have to ask me for anything,” Hunter said.
“As for my family, they’re still old enough to work, so what I tell them is, yeah, I had to put in those hours and those countless days. Like Coach says, ‘I don’t get tired,’ because I’ve adapted to that mindset. I don’t have to sleep; I just need to keep working. Whatever I get done is what I get done, and that’s what has brought me here. So, I tell them: You still have to work, just like I have to work. Somebody has to work.”
Hunter Credits Deion Sanders for Where He Is
Deion Sanders has served as a fatherly/coach figure to not only his two sons but also Hunter. Along with Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders, Hunter also transferred from Jackson State to Colorado.
Hunter may not have been able to help his team in 2023 due to injury, but with full availability in 2024, he showed his capability.
“He’s more than just a coach; he’s a father,” Hunter said Tuesday on the “Pivot Podcast.” “It gets you kind of emotional because it changed my life forever. I texted him a couple games ago, like, ‘Coach, you changed my life forever.'”
Coach Prime is ready to go in different ways. His sons and Hunter are all going to the NFL next year, and though there are speculations that he may also follow, Deion Sanders has more than once buffed those rumors.
