Choosing probably the most excellent faculty soccer participant every season isn’t all the time simple, and there isn’t all the time a clear-cut favourite.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy race has been fascinating to observe all season with preseason favourite Dillon Gabriel, Ashton Jeanty and Cam Ward making some really standout performs and quintessential Heisman moments on the sector.
However, as proficient as they’re, nobody actually compares with two-way participant Travis Hunter, who entered Week 12 because the consensus Heisman favourite. And Saturday in Colorado’s 49-24 win over Utah, the Buffaloes large receiver/defensive again reminded everybody why.
In opposition to Utah, Hunter completed with 60 whole offensive yards, which is definitely a bit low for him. He earned his first speeding landing of the season, and on protection, he returned an interception for 21 yards and added three solo tackles and a go breakup. On the season, he has 10 whole touchdowns, 911 receiving yards, three interceptions, eight passes defended and one pressured fumble, as Fox Sports activities famous.
Hunter’s expertise and expertise are simple. Not solely does he play nearly each snap on each side of the ball when he’s wholesome, however he additionally usually makes standout play after standout play, like this one:
TRAVIS HUNTER IS UNREAL 🤯
He makes an absurd catch for @CUBuffsFootball on 4th & 8 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OuIIY8e4vD
— FOX School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
And this one:
TRAVIS HUNTER IS JUST A CHEAT CODE 😱@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/SUCHVonSOq
— FOX School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
With lower than a month to go earlier than Heisman voters make their picks, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and the Buffs have been stumping laborious for Hunter’s Heisman marketing campaign. They’re proper to assist their participant, in fact, however they’re additionally proper about no faculty participant within the nation being similar to Hunter, a coveted future NFL Draft choose.
Travis Hunter will get his teammates to hit the Heisman pose with him 💪🏆@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/apeLNc0c8G
— FOX School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
Buffs quarterback Shedeur Sanders praised Hunter after the sport, calling him the very best participant within the nation:
“He’s the very best participant within the nation, fingers down, little question. There’s not a variety of guys that may do what he do on offense and protection, so it’s actually robust to match him to anyone else as a result of I really feel like if he was at a special program — they don’t like us a lot. They hate on us too. So it’s actual laborious, and it makes me unhappy that they don’t give a man like him his credit score as a result of that’s generational. It ain’t gonna occur once more for a very long time.”
“He is the very best participant within the nation fingers down.”
Shedeur Sanders tells @JennyTaft why he thinks Travis Hunters ought to win the Heisman ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iRguJlulh7
— FOX School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
After the Buffs’ win in opposition to Utah, Deion was requested what his message to undecided Heisman voters can be. He echoed his quarterback son’s sentiments however implied he’s executed stumping and stated:
“I ain’t gonna sit up right here and provides no message to no Heisman voters who’s undecided. If they will’t see, they will’t see. It’s what it’s. Travis is who he’s. It’s alleged to go to the very best faculty soccer participant; I believe that’s been a wrap since, what? Week 2?
“So, we ain’t petitioning for no person. We ain’t doing that. We’ve obtained a beautiful show of cameras right here, and I believe we’re on nationwide tv each week. If they will’t see it, one thing is an issue. Don’t permit their hatred for me to intervene with our youngsters’ success. … Give the children what they deserve.”
“Do not permit their hatred for me to intervene with our youngsters’ success… Get the children what they deserve, man.”
Deion Sanders when requested what his message can be to Heisman voters who had been undecided about Travis Hunter ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/y2P1tX8bHT
— FOX School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
Sanders could declare he’s not arguing for Hunter’s Heisman marketing campaign, however he’s nonetheless making an argument that the two-way participant is the very best in faculty soccer this season. And he’s proper, however at this level, the Sanders household and the remainder of Colorado shouldn’t should be convincing anybody of Hunter’s exceptionalism.
For Oregon, Gabriel makes his dominance look simple. With Miami, Ward is so poised making massive performs it’s nearly worrisome. And Boise State has the very best operating again within the nation with Jeanty.
However Hunter is a rare two-way participant who’s on the sector for almost all of video games and is having an unbelievable season. Barring a catastrophic sport for him or a pair really elevated performances from his fellow contenders, the Heisman ought to be his come December.
