Travis Hunter has captured the 2024 Heisman Trophy, marking a significant achievement in his college football career. This prestigious award recognizes him as the top player in college football, a testament to his remarkable performances throughout the season.
Hunter performed at an elite level, excelling on both offense and defense. His feat is historic, as he becomes the first player in over twenty years to secure the Heisman while making substantial contributions on both sides of the ball. The last player to achieve this was Charles Woodson in 1997.
Hunter’s competition included notable finalists such as Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Miami’s Cam Ward, and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. Strong performances throughout the season positioned Hunter as the favorite to win the award. His victory came after collecting 552 first-place votes and accumulating a total of 2,231 points, receiving over eighty percent of the possible points.
The Heisman race was closely contested this year, reflected in Hunter’s narrow victory margin of just 214 points. This represents the smallest margin of victory for the Heisman in fifteen years. Gabriel and Ward rounded out the top four finalists, showcasing the intense competition in this year’s voting process.
Hunter’s dual-threat capability is impressive. As a cornerback, he made significant impacts with 11 pass breakups and four interceptions, contributing to a defensive performance that ranked him among the best in the NCAA. Additionally, his agility and receiving skills as a wide receiver were evident. He led the Big 12 in receptions with 92 catches, totaling 1,152 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
The 2024 season demonstrated Hunter’s explosive playmaking ability, where he emerged as a consistent threat for big plays. He led the FBS with 21 receptions of 20 yards or more, underlining his capacity to change the game’s momentum at any moment.
Hunter’s journey began with him being the top high school prospect in 2022. He made headlines by choosing to play at Jackson State, spurning bigger programs in favor of a historically Black university under the guidance of Deion Sanders. When Sanders transitioned to Colorado in late 2022, Hunter followed suit, believing in the potential to excel further under his former coach’s mentorship.
With this achievement, Travis Hunter joins an elite group of players. He becomes Colorado’s second Heisman winner, following the legacy of Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994. As Hunter looks toward the NFL draft, his remarkable college career stands as a testament to his skill and determination on the field.
