Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has been on the hot seat since he arrived in Colorado, adding a new vibe to the Buffaloes. He’s turned around a moribund program, and all attention has been focused on his son Shedeur Sanders and two-way standout Travis Hunter. Although Hunter is a great talent, there are concerns that Colorado’s choice of the Big 12 over the Big Ten or SEC may be an obstacle in Hunter’s Heisman ambitions.

During a conversation on the Jason Whitlock Show, Jason said, “Can we legitimately say Travis Hunter is the best player in college football when he’s not doing it on the ultimate stage in the SEC or even the Big Ten?” And that’s the heart of the matter. Will the Big 12 be enough to put Hunter at the top?

At face value, one would be forgiven to assume that the Big 12 move was a good move for Coach Prime and the Buffaloes. Colorado has a good history in this arena, having competed there for multiple years before becoming a member of the Pac-12 conference in 2011. But the Big 12 isn’t the SEC. Come on now—when people talk big football, they’re talking Alabama, Georgia, all those dogs in the SEC. Hunter might be balling’ out, but Whitlock’s question is a fair one: “Would he be able to have the same amount of success doing what he does in the SEC?”

The talent in the SEC is one thing that is out of this realm. It’s a league full of potential NFL players and defenses so complex even Rex Ryan would lose sleep over it. Yeah, Travis Hunter is a pretty gifted player, but would he be as physical with SEC corners as he is with Ryan Williams? Steve Kim disagrees, and he seems to have friends in this case. As Steve mentioned, “Kirby Smart and Kalen DeBoer wouldn’t even ask their players to do what Travis does. That’s not a knock, but more a statement of how deep those teams are.”

And, as if that wasn’t enough, let me tell you that Hunter is something of a phenomenon in this area. He has more than 120 plays per game this season he has been playing on both offense and defense. Which is not only notable but virtually unheard of in today’s football. But even using those efforts, would that be adequate to get the eye of Heisman voters?

Could Colorado’s decision end up backfiring for Travis Hunter?

When the University of Colorado chose the Big 12, many questioned why it didn’t push for a move to the Big Ten or SEC, where its players would face tougher competition and gain more national exposure. The reasoning behind this is clear—a position often weighs more than pure talent when it comes to the Heisman Trophy. As Whitlock noted, “It’s hard to keep Travis out of the Heisman race, but in the SEC, it’d be a whole different conversation.”

Hunter has the talent. This season, he has 46 receptions, 561 yards, and 6 TDs in the offense, and on defense, he also handles the job. But that’s the reality—he is not receiving the attention that other players in the SEC receive. But in the Heisman race, that focus counts.

Even when you look at past winners like Desmond Howard, Steve pointed out an important difference: “Charles Woodson in 1997 had offensive packages and special plays, but Travis is a full-time wide receiver, corner, and a special teams guy.” In the SEC, that level of play would generate even more attention, whereas in the Big 12, it doesn’t carry the same importance when it comes to the Heisman.  

Let’s be honest: no one is doubting Coach Prime’s ability to command the sideline. What he has achieved at Colorado is nothing short of remarkable. He has revived a program that was on the verge of collapse and turned it into one of the most talked-about teams today. While choosing the Big 12 might seem like the easier route, it could limit Travis Hunter’s exposure to the kind of national spotlight needed for Heisman Trophy consideration. The competition and visibility in conferences like the SEC are often key factors in elevating a player’s Heisman profile.

“When you watch Georgia and Alabama, can you say Travis Hunter is the best player in college football?” Kim asked. It’s a tough question. And the answer might be no—not because Hunter lacked talent, but because the stage he is on, is small. The Heisman Trophy competition is not about being the best player – it is about being the best player when the game is on the line. With Colorado going to the Big 12, Coach Prime might have lowered that stage a little too much for Travis Hunter to have the limelight.

However, once again, being the guy who defied the odds, maybe, just maybe, Deion could pull it off. Perhaps Hunter will look for a way to ensure he is not part of the statistics people envision he is. But one thing is for sure: the decision to join the Big 12 over the SEC (or even the Big Ten) will continue to provoke conversations if Hunter’s Heisman dreams turn out to be a nightmare.