One day of regularity in the eccentric life of Deion Sanders. That’s all CFB fans ask for. Coach Prime has been pivotal in molding not one but two Heisman contenders this season. He’s been known to be a stand-up father in tandem with his professional duties. Shedeur owes his old man a ton of credit for the stock he’s built up throughout the season. So when asked on national television who would have his vote for the coveted Heisman, Deion shocked onlookers everywhere.

Coach Prime joined Big Noon Kickoff earlier in the day. Even while he was present only virtually, fans in the live audience showed him love. Deion was put in the spot by the broadcasters to answer whether son Shedeur or Travis Hunter would be his name on the ballot. Without any hesitation whatsoever, Coach Prime said, “Travis gets my vote”. Groans of dismay reverberated around the set amongst fans who were hoping otherwise.

“Travis is the best player in college football”, he reinstated after making the claim in the aftermath of Hunter’s unprecedented performance against Cincinnati in Week 9. Travis Hunter is currently odds on to win the award. With his coach and a figure of Prime’s stature placing him ahead of his own boy, the case only gets stronger.

Deion’s assessment of Travis’ standing as the best is echoed by other legends too. Retired 3-time national champ Urban Meyer recently came to the same conclusion. Not only does Meyer believe he is the best player going, he hinted at the Heisman’s underlying bias towards quarterbacks. 

Since the turn of the century, only four non-quarterbacks have won the Heisman. Breaking convention is not something 2-way player Travis isn’t used to. It is that standalone aspect of him as a player that has earned him the endorsement of such icons. However the recent history of the award isn’t the only hindrance in his case.

Travis Hunter is up against more than just his QB

Despite some misconceptions amongst the masses, the voting process is concluded after the national championship game. This inadvertently means that players on contending teams that will make deep CFP runs have the upper hand. The expanded format will only make this more pronounced.

7 of the last 8 Heisman Trophy recipients played for teams ranked in the top eight in the end-of-season poll. Oregon is ranked no.1 by the CFP committee and is poised to go far, aiding Dillon Gabriel’s case. Cam Ward led Miami (no.4) the same. Both players are directly behind Travis in the odds. Shedeur is much behind in the pecking order, rather bemusingly. Meanwhile, Colorado is ranked 20th.  

Deion’s continual backing and his own stellar performances on the gridiron have Travis in a good place for now. Colorado’s route into the playoffs is rather steep from the 20th. They would perhaps have to trounce BYU for the Big 12 championship and make it through that way. For now, Coach Prime and Shedeur alike will do everything in their power to help their fellow superstar shine. The Buffs are fresh off a bye and take on Texas Tech down south on Saturday.