Travis Hunter continues to rack up accolades! This week, the Colorado Buffaloes’ two-way threat solidified his defensive expertise by being named the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. While known for his versatility on both sides of the ball, Hunter earned this honor specifically for his cornerback skills. 

Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s talented running back, Ollie Gordon, was named Offensive Player of the Year. However, the Buffaloes weren’t left out of the offensive spotlight. Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, joined him on the Preseason All-Big 12 team alongside defensive lineman BJ Green II. The Buffs are undoubtedly marking their growing presence at their new Big 12 conference.

The CU Buffs Football’s official Instagram celebrated the news with a post highlighting their “Preseason All-Big 12 honors.” The excitement extended beyond the team, with even EA Sports joining the party. In a playful comment, they specifically focused on Hunter’s win, stating, “That’s our cover athlete.” After all, it’s only been a month since Hunter graced their video game’s cover art!

Whether it’s EA Sports cover or the Big 12 recognition, Hunter seemingly deserves them all. Despite missing three games last season due to a lacerated liver, he dominated on the field, racking up 30 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups in just 9 games.  

While Hunter, Sanders, and Green received individual recognition, the pre-season wasn’t smooth sailing for the Buffaloes. There seems to have been a “minute setback” with the Big 12 preseason poll for the Buffs this time. 

Travis Hunter excels, yet the team encounters an unexpected hurdle

The Colorado Buffaloes face a curious situation as the Big 12 season approaches. While individual players receive impressive accolades, the team is struggling to shake off pre-season doubts.

Even though the Buffaloes have star players — Shedeur Sanders, named Preseason Big 12 quarterback, and Travis Hunter, the Defensive Player of the Year — they didn’t get a first-place vote in Tuesday’s preseason poll. This is surprising because Hunter earned a top spot on the prestigious Walter Camp All-American team just a day earlier. It seems fans have doubts about the team’s overall performance despite the amazing skills of these individual players.

The Buffaloes finished a disappointing 11th in the Big 12 media preseason rankings out of 16 teams. Even more concerning, they didn’t receive a single first-place vote. This disconnect between individual talent and team outlook raises questions. Can Sanders, Hunter, and the rest of the team overcome these doubts and build a winning image? With the Big 12 season looming, let’s see if the Buffaloes are rewriting this narrative.