Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Mastery Puts Heisman Trophy Within Reach Despite Colorado Buffs Poor Playoff Prospects

The Colorado prodigy is on sight to have a tremendous season this year since more and more positive things keep coming his way. From being the face of the upcoming College Football 25 game to being considered a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Travis Hunter is on cloud 9. Now, adding to more praise for the youngster, he is being considered the top contender for the Heisman trophy, despite being a part of a mediocre team, according to last season’s stats, anyway.

Travis Hunter, the wide receiver as well as the cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes, had an unfortunate season last year when he suffered a lacerated liver against the Colorado State Rams. His absence for 3 weeks put him out of the Heisman race, but it looks like he might have a very good shot this year, seeing as his dual talents highlight him better than any other player in the league.

Hunter could be a top Heisman contender even with the Buffs

As per the 31st May video released by On3, Andy Staples was seen discussing all things new in the college football world. Later, he took on a question posed by a fan who said, “Can Colorado miss a bowl game and Travis Hunter still win the Heisman?” To which Staples answered by mentioning how Colorado might have a chance to make it to the playoffs but there’s not a lot of hope riding on them since they only managed to rake in 4 wins out of 12 games last season. Regardless of that, Staples still believes that Hunter has a good chance of winning the trophy this year. 

Credit; Social MediaThere is an ongoing belief within the NCAA community that the Heisman trophy should go to the players whose team performs the best. But on the contrary, the Heisman Trophy is awarded “to the most outstanding player in college football”. Additionally, the official definition also says, “Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.” Notice how none of these words had anything to do with the team’s performance? That is exactly the thought that Staples invoked with his perspective.

He mentioned how Travis Hunter is an extraordinary player due to his commanding reputation of being both an excellent WR and a cornerback, something which the sport doesn’t tend to see very often. Furthermore, he scoffed at the team criteria for the Heisman odds and said, “I also think the team aspect of it is a little misleading in a Heisman race. Because people say that he has to play in a good team. No, you don’t! It’s the most outstanding player. All you can do is what you can do.” Thus, Staples believes that the Buffs could have an amazing season but regardless of that, Hunter will go on to be a notable candidate for the Heisman, based on his exceptional talents.

But while the rest of the college community would want Hunter to win the trophy as well, it seems like the WR might be subjected to envy within his own locker room by none other than- (drumroll) Shedeur Sanders. More so than a bitter feeling, the upcoming season could be a motif for both the players to try and outplay each other in order to lift the trophy.

Shedeur and Travis are both contenders for the Heisman

It is interesting to note that during the beginning of all the Heisman speculations, it was Sanders who was predicted to be the favorite for the Heisman Trophy in the 2024 season. Last year, he managed to get his foot in the door by finishing his debut FBS season as the country’s No. 10 passer and a 27-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Maybe it’s been difficult for Deion’s son to accept the fact that his spotlight has been cast on Hunter now as the Heisman favorite, but seeing how the next season is almost here, Shedeur would want to give it his all in trying to win the Heisman, and one-up Hunter amid his wave that has enveloped the Colorado Buffaloes.

What’s really sweet to see is that despite an unspoken sense of rivalry between the two, Travis would still want him to excel as much. During the BTS interview of the College Football 25’s cover shoot, Hunter was asked who he would want to see in the top finalists of the Heisman trophy. The first name that came to his mind was that of Shedeuer, hence, leaving us all to believe that the WR genuinely wants nothing but the best for his teammate and friend, even though the feelings may not be fully reciprocated.