Travis Hunter is not the betting favorite to win this year’s Heisman Trophy.
But it may not be long before Colorado’s two-way star moves to the top of the board.
In Saturday’s 48-21 win at UCF, Hunter caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass in the same game for the second time in the last three weeks and the fourth time in his three-year college career.
He struck a Heisman pose, too, after he picked off KJ Jefferson with a diving grab in the third quarter.
WHAT AN INTERCEPTION BY TRAVIS HUNTER
He makes the play and hits the Heisman pose 🔥@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/cF3MLeOpuM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024
The Buffaloes, who were 14-point underdogs, improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12.
Hunter entered the week tied with Georgia quarterback Carson Beck for the seventh-best odds to win the Heisman (+1600), according to BetMGM.
The former No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2022 has been a dynamic two-way threat since his freshman year at Jackson State, starting at both cornerback and receiver and playing more snaps than anyone in college football. He played 128 snaps on Saturday, according to the Fox broadcast, and is averaging an astounding 130 per game.
Hunter exited the UCF game after he limped off the field late in the fourth quarter. He was banged up on Colorado’s 90-yard fumble return for a touchdown but later emerged from the injury tent with a smile. Replays showed defensive tackle Rayyan Buell rolled up on Hunter’s knee as they converged on a UCF ball carrier.
Statistically, Hunter has put up elite numbers at receiver. He entered the weekend ranked fourth nationally in receptions (37), sixth in receiving yards (472) and tied for fourth in TD catches (five). On Saturday, he caught nine passes for 89 yards and one TD.
According to Stathead, there’s been five players at the FBS level since 1976 to record at least two interceptions on defense and catch at least five touchdown passes on offense in a season.
Travis Hunter (6 TDs, 2 TDs in 2024) has done it twice now (5 TDs, 3 INTs in 2023).
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 28, 2024
He’s also graded out as one of the best cover corners in the game. In Colorado’s come-from-behind win over Baylor last week, Hunter had the game-winning forced fumble at the goal line in overtime.
Before Saturday’s game, Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff aired an interview with Hunter conducted by 1997 Heisman winner Charles Woodson, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Woodson had seven interceptions and caught 11 passes for 231 yards and two scores for Michigan in 1997. He didn’t play nearly as much on offense as Hunter has throughout his career.
“There ain’t nobody out there doing 130 snaps a game,” Hunter said during the interview.
“My main goal right now is to stay focused on my team and the individual awards will come.”
(Photo: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
