Two-Way Star Travis Hunter Set to Receive Special Award by 35-Year-Old Gorgeous ESPN Host

2023 Paul Hornung Award winner, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, is set to be honored on March 8, 2024. To add to the spotlight, ESPN and SEC Network, gorgeous host Laura Rutledge is all set to take center stage as the featured speaker. Playing both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, even in the face of a brief hiatus due to injury, Travis Hunter showcased great tenacity and Coach Prime couldn’t stop prasing the youngster. 

A true force on the football field, Hunter showcased unparalleled versatility during the 2023 season. Owing to his resilience, he has surpassed the 1,000-snap plateau. He notably played 566 snaps on defense, 436 snaps on offense and 30 on special teams which landed him the nation’s most versatile player. The annual Paul Hornung Award dinner will be presented by UofL Health at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville.

Known for her captivating presence, insight and engaging commentary, Laura Rutledge is to take center stage as the featured speaker on the evening of the Paul Hornung Award ceremony. Even though, earlier in her career she struggled to establish herself in the competitive field of sports media, she progressed because of her natural hosting abilities. 

The evening is going to witness the recognition of Hunter’s impact on the field as well as immerse in Rutledge’s versatility shining through her role as the host of the prestigious event. She has balanced her responsibilities between playing host for NFL Live and SEC Nation. Her expertise propelled her to join forces with ESPN analysts including Mina Kimes, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears and Dan Orlovsky. Having worked with college football reporters like Ryan McGee and Marty Smith, this experience will ensure Rutledge establishes a connection with the college football fans. 

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The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The Louisville Sports Commission launched the Paul Hornung Award back in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son, and to recognize and reward high-level achievers in college football whose performances and contributions as versatile players often go unnoticed. Coach Prime expressed chimed in with a few words about the Colorado star achieving this special award.

Coach Primes awaits Travis to unleash full potential

The Colorado sophomore cornerback and wide receiver, finished the last last season with 57 receptions for 721 yards including five touchdowns. Since Mark Mariscal’s win in 2002, by achieving 50-plus receptions Hunter became the ninth player to receive major football awards for the Buffaloes. 

Last year in December, when the awards was announced Travis thanked Louisville Sports Commission. Travis said, “Paul Hornung accomplished great things that I also want to accomplish, and to be given the award in his name is truly amazing. I’d like to thank all my teammates for their support and Coach Prime for the opportunity to play both ways and do whatever I can to help the Colorado Buffaloes.”

Coach Prime Sanders was effusive in his praise for Hunter and said “Travis is a special player, a generational player, who has changed the game… We had to find ways to utilize him to the best of his ability on both sides of the ball, where he could utilize his strengths and be a force… He’s a tremendous player, but also a tremendous person. Travis hasn’t reached his full potential as of yet and his best is still to come.”

The award ceremony is poised to be more than just a date on the calendar. With Hunter receiving the well-deserved accolade and Rutledge leading the way, it promises a captivating conclusion to a night filled with convergence of talent and recognition.

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