Colorado Springs is buzzing after the announcement of the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday night. Travis Hunter, a standout player for the Colorado Buffaloes, made history by becoming the first two-way player to win the prestigious award since Charles Woodson in 1997. Hunter, who shone brightly as both a cornerback and wide receiver, secured a total of 2,231 points, outranking finalists Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, and Cam Ward from Miami.
Jeanty finished with 2,017 points, while Gabriel and Ward came in with 516 and 229 points, respectively. During his emotional acceptance speech, Hunter expressed gratitude, saying, “I never thought I’d be in this position. It’s actually crazy, man. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He took a moment to thank his family and coach Deion Sanders, noting the support they provided throughout his journey.
This season, Hunter played an impressive 1,443 snaps, splitting his time almost evenly between offense and defense, along with special teams. His versatility is rare in college football, especially since it’s been decades since a player made such a dual impact like Hunter did. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as both a defensive back and wide receiver, along with being named the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
On the offensive side, Hunter ranked fifth nationally with 92 receptions and fourth with 14 touchdowns, along with impressive yardage records. On defense, he held strong with four interceptions and 15 passes defended, showcasing his exceptional talent on both ends of the field.
Looking ahead, Hunter confirmed he plans to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft after the upcoming Alamo Bowl against BYU. Meanwhile, in other NFL news, Maxx Crosby of the Raiders has announced he will undergo ankle surgery and miss the remainder of the season. The Dallas Cowboys are also dealing with injury issues, as Trevon Diggs is expected to have season-ending surgery on his knee.
The Chiefs are set to welcome back kicker Harrison Butker from injury for their upcoming game, while Justin Herbert of the Chargers has been cleared from the injury report. The Seahawks will look to their backup Zach Charbonnet as Kenneth Walker III is doubtful for their matchup against Green Bay. The 49ers made headlines by releasing linebacker De’Vondre Campbell following an internal issue during a recent game.
These updates highlight the ever-changing landscape of college and professional football, as players make their mark and teams combat injuries as the season progresses.
