Forget the “Heisman hopeful” buzz—it’s official now. What started as a playful nod to Travis Hunter’s potential, the moniker “HE12MAN” might as well be his official title. The star two-way player’s Heisman win completes the Buffs’ comeback, which was planned by second-year head coach Deion Sanders. After a 4-8 season last year, Sanders’ transformative leadership guided the Buffaloes to a 9-3 record, earning bowl eligibility and stacking accolades for his standout stars, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. And now, as the cherry on top, the coveted Heisman Trophy is back in Boulder.

Hunter is Colorado’s first Heisman winner since Rashaan Salaam in 1994, a time when the Buffs were perennial national powerhouses. But his path to the trophy wasn’t just about flashy plays—it was about dominance and rewriting history. Curious about the numbers that clinched the win?

Unnecessary Roughness, a college football podcast on Barstool Sports, just dropped the Heisman voting totals on X. According to their post, “Heisman Voting has been revealed (via @Romi_Bean).” Travis Hunter racked up some serious numbers: 552 first-place votes, 261 second-place votes, 53 third-place votes, and a total of 2231 points. The competition was fierce, with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty finishing second with 2,017 points and 309 first-place votes. Interestingly, the quarterbacks in contention lagged behind: Dillon Gabriel secured third place with 516 points, while Cam Ward finished fourth with 229. Hunter’s teammate, Shedeur Sanders, rounded out the top eight with one first-place vote and 47 points.

The Heisman ceremony was a night of celebration, pride, and deep emotion. When Travis Hunter’s name was called, he embraced his head coach, Deion Sanders, in a heartfelt hug that captured the magnitude of the moment. Sanders was obviously proud of the WR/CB sensation he had taught at Colorado and Jackson State.

Furthermore, Hunter’s achievement adds his name to a select group of non-quarterbacks who have claimed college football’s most prestigious honor. And he’s earned every bit of it.

The Heisman? Totally worth it for Travis Hunter

John Heisman, the legendary coach the trophy is named after, transformed the game with innovation and grit. And now, Travis Hunter’s name will forever be etched in that legacy. In fact, his Heisman win caps off one of the most impressive seasons in college football history. The first-team All-Big 12 and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year demonstrated unparalleled versatility, logging 688 defensive snaps and 672 offensive snaps. He became the first player to win both the Fred Biletnikoff Award (top wide receiver) and the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) in the same season.

On offense, Hunter shattered Colorado’s single-season receiving record with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 11 pass breakups, four interceptions, and allowed just 22 receptions. His standout performances included a game against TCU where he logged an interception and three touchdowns—a feat unmatched in FBS for over 25 years. Against Utah, he added another milestone, combining 50 receiving yards with a rushing touchdown—a mark only NFL legend Champ Bailey had ever achieved.

For Travis Hunter, this isn’t just about the stats. It’s about the journey—the sacrifices, the grind, and the moments that led to this crowning achievement. His fiancée, Leanna Lenee, was by his side, as was Shedeur Sanders, sharing in the unforgettable night. The Heisman win isn’t just a feather in Hunter’s cap. It caps off a season—and a career—where he crushed it and shut down all the haters.