It’s raining opinions everywhere! Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter recently stuck a controversial tag on himself when he delivered his opinion on Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. He said, “Y’all see Ashton Jeanty, but it’s not like we haven’t seen a running back that’s good.” The No. 1 favorite in the Heisman Trophy race displayed his respect for Hunter’s opinions following that viral statement. But let’s also hear how Oregon is reacting to this story. 

Oregon OL Marcus Harper II joined us in an exclusive interview where he gave his take on Travis Hunter’s controversial dig on Ashton Jeanty. He said, “That’s probably his personal opinion how he feels about the situation… In this race you try to put yourself in the best light possible. Whether it was the best in this say, I’m not gonna hold his tongue to it but that’s how he felt.” 

Travis Hunter didn’t keep his feelings inside when he appeared in the Outta Pocket with RGIII. He asserted that he was the worthy Heisman winner before snubbing Jeanty’s skills in his position. Then he hyped himself, saying, “We haven’t seen a player that plays both ways, and I’m gonna keep saying that.” In response to Hunter’s snub, Jeanty said, “I mean kudos to Travis, he ballin’ for real. He doing some stuff we ain’t seen never nobody do. Personally I don’t take no offense to it. He just speaking his opinion. Everybody got an opinion.” So what about his opinion?

Like Hunter, Jeanty also exudes self-confidence when asked who would win the Heisman. He said, “Me for sure… I know myself, I know my talent, I feel like I am the best player in college football.” Marcus Harper II, who has led the Ducks to a pristine 8-0 season so far, credited both the Heisman candidates, saying, “Both those guys are in a position that they’re doing remarkable things in college football.” And yes, they’re both incredible players in their own right. 

What winning the Heisman would mean for Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter 

Ashton Jeanty has emerged as a serious running threat in 2024, on the verge of possibly breaking the record of an NFL Hall of Famer. The star RB recorded 1,376 yards on 159 carries and 18 touchdowns in seven games (6-1) so far. That is only 1,252 yards and 19 touchdowns short of Barry Sanders’ record in 1988 who recorded 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns to win the Heisman Trophy. Five more regular games and a hop into the postseason greatly boosts Jeanty’s chance to beat this grand record. 

Travis Hunter is in a similar situation. True, he’s a deserving Heisman winner with his versatility and skills on both sides of the football. And a win would mean that he’ll break the two-decade-plus drought where college football hasn’t had a two-way Heisman winner since NFL HoFer and CFB two-way player Charles Woodson in 1997. We’ll let the remaining games decide the outcome of the Heisman race in the weeks to come.