The 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony, held on December 14th, marked a historic moment in college football as Travis Hunter, the dynamic two-way player from Colorado, took home the award. Hunter’s victory not only showcased his talent and versatility but also ignited a heated debate on who should win the Heisman Trophy and the recognition of players playing multiple positions.
Travis Hunter, a former 5-star recruit, found himself in headlines during his time at Jackson State, before transferring with his coach, Deion Sanders (Coach Prime) and his quarterback, Shadeur Sanders, to Colorado. In the 2024 season, he proved himself to be a game-changer, dominating as both a wide receiver and cornerback. Hunter accumulated 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, and keep in mind, the season is not over yet. On the defensive side of the ball, he contributed significantly, with 31 tackles and 4 interceptions.
His versatility and impact shown on the field by Hunter was undeniable, and his ability to dominate on both sides of the ball boosted the Colorado Buffaloes to a 7-2 record within the Big12 conference. His ability to dominate in big games, such as Colorado’s win over Cincinnati, NDSU, OKST, and CSU solidified his case as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy.
However, there was also another strong candidate for this award.
Ashton Jeanty, a standout running back from Boise State, also had a remarkable season that put him in contention for the Heisman Trophy. He actually ended up winning the Nissan Fan Vote for the Heisman Trophy, but was unable to win the actual trophy. With the season still in play, Jeanty has rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, one of the greatest seasons by a running back in college history.
Jeanty’s consistency and impact on games were undeniable, as he consistently rushed for over 100 yards with multiple touchdowns in each game. Two notable games of his are against GASO, where he rushed for 267 yards and 6 touchdowns, and against WSU, where he rushed for 259 yards and 4 touchdowns. While these universities are small schools, when he faced Oregon, a powerhouse team, he ended up with 192 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, mind blowing stats, I know! Many fans and analysts believed that his historical achievements should be rewarded with the Heisman Trophy, especially given the awards history and preference with quarterbacks and running backs.
This competition between Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty became a important theme in the Heisman Race, leading to intense discussions among voters and fans. Many people believed that Travis Hunter’s dual-position ability puts him over Jeanty, while others believed that Jeanty’s ability to dominate games and carry his team should not be overlooked.
I talked to a sports fanatic, Gannon, on his reaction to Travis Hunter winning, and this is what he had to say. “I feel like Travis Hunter won because of his social media presence. He isn’t that good of a player, he just won because he can do cardio and run around, and last time I checked snaps wasn’t a stat. We all saw that game against Stanford where a backup wide receiver mossed Travis Hunter for a Touchdown. Ashton Jeanty is going to beat Barry Sanders’ college football rushing record in a season, and if Barry Sanders won the Heisman in his season, then why should Travis Hunter win it over Jeanty. I think this is just ridiculous.” Gannon is one of many fans who believe that Jeanty should have won and Travis only ended up as the victor due to internet “glaze.”
Ultimately, Travis Hunter’s historic win at the Heisman Trophy ceremony marked a significant moment in history, showcasing his ability as both a defensive and offensive player. While the rivalry with Ashton Jeanty highlighted the intricacies in the voting process and criteria, it opened the door for a wider understanding of talent and greatness in College Football.
