Dec 143 min read

Colorado Buffaloes' Travis Hunter Wins 90th Heisman Trophy

The 90th Annual Heisman Trophy Ceremony was held in New York on Dec. 14 at Columbus Circle. Four finalists forged strong seasons that got them to this point.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel of the Oregon Ducks, running back Ashton Jeanty of the Boise State Broncos, and quarterback Cam Ward of the Miami Hurricanes all had masterful seasons that stood out among the rest, but only one could take the coveted trophy home.

The winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy was athlete Travis Hunter of the Colorado Buffaloes. Hunter is Colorado's second Heisman winner and the first Big 12 Conference winner since quarterback Kyler Murray in 2018. Hunter is the first two-way player to win in the 21st century and the first-ever former FCS player to win it. He makes history and certifies his legend status.

Travis Hunter: Two-Way Phenom

Hunter's career began with the Jackson State Tigers in 2022. He was one of the highest-touted recruits in the class of 2022 and had multiple choices of where he wanted to go, choosing to go play for then JSU coach Deion Sanders. Hunter recorded 18 catches for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns with the Tigers, as well as 8 pass deflections, 2 interceptions and a pick-six.

At Colorado is where his career began to truly shine though. Following Sanders to Boulder, Colo. Hunter got his first taste of FBS football and translated masterfully. In 2023, Hunter recorded 57 catches for 721 yards and 5 touchdowns, with 31 tackles, 5 pass deflections and 3 interceptions. Hunter made a decree that the public would see him in New York the following year.

In 2024, Hunter made due on that promise, recording a 1,000-yard season, 14 touchdowns, 11 pass deflections and 4 interceptions, showing he deserved to be among the Heisman finalists. The best two-way player of the 21st century, Hunter won the Chuck Bednarik Award for best defensive player and the Fred Biletnikoff Award for best receiver. He adds another trophy to his case, this one being the most coveted in the game of college football.

Not Without Controversy

Hunter might have won the Heisman, but not without some stiff competition. Hunter won the vote by just 214 points, the closest Heisman race since 2009. Jeanty actually won the Nissan fan vote and the Maxwell Award, which was given to the nation's best player overall.

However, the Heisman is also the trophy given to the best player. In lies the conundrum. The battle between Jeanty and Hunter will go down as one of the most exciting and controversial Heisman moments of all time. The best two-way player of the 21st century versus arguably the best running back of the 21st century.

Hunter's boisterous personality and allegiance to a Colorado team that was the source of much controversy in of itself made Hunter a spectacular "heel" in the college football world. Leading up to the vote, many were in Jeanty's corner and saw him as the true winner. This only furthered the legend of Hunter being a "villain" to those not in his corner. However, Hunter's mother encouraged her son to "cut out the noise," "bet on himself" and understand that "he's the prize."

That bet has paid out and Hunter finds himself immortalized among college football's best. Jeanty will certainly be seen as one of the award's most talked-about snubs. However, with the ballots being any indication, both men were well-deserving. Jeanty will play in the College Football Playoff and have a chance to play for the CFP National Championship, while Hunter wins his Heisman.

Legends Are Made, Storybooks Written

Both Jeanty and Hunter will be 2025 NFL Draft prospects once the 2024 season concludes. Both are projected first-round picks and have left lasting legacies on not only their programs but the sport of college football in general. Both will be labeled as legends of the game.

Hunter wins the award though that puts him among the immortal ranks of Heisman winners. He's one of college football's most miraculous stories and could make some serious noise in the professional ranks, no matter what position he chooses to play.

He also wins the Heisman on the 30th anniversary of Colorado running back Rashaan Salaam winning the award. Salaam passed away in 2016 and was Colorado's first-ever Heisman winner. Hunter showed great gratitude for what got him here throughout his acceptance and showed excitement for his bright future.

“Keep going. The journey doesn’t stop here,” Hunter stated at the end of his acceptance speech.

A storybook ending to a storybook college career, Hunter solidifies his legacy as one of the greats.