Travis Hunter compares Heisman Trophy chances with Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty: 'I know I can win it'

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and two-way Colorado superstar Travis Hunter have been the two non-quarterback favorites to take home the Heisman Trophy this season. Both have already made impressive cases for the most prestigious individual award in college football through the halfway point of the season.

College football has never seen a player quite like Hunter while Jeanty is on pace to shatter Barry Sanders‘ season single rushing record. But on a recent episode of Outta Pocket with RGIII, Hunter made it clear that he favors his own Heisman campaign compared to the Broncos running back.

“I know I can win it, but I don’t know who’s there,” Hunter told Robert Griffin III and his wife Grete. “I mean y’all see Ashton Jeanty, it’s not like we haven’t seen a running back that’s good. We haven’t seen a player that plays both ways and I’m gonna keep saying that.”

Griffin told Hunter that he doesn’t want him or others not to speak winning the Heisman Trophy into existence, an award that Griffin took home as the quarterback at Baylor in 2011. It’s something that Hunter was unafraid to do while also fearless about comparing his statistics and situation to Jeanty’s.

“He has, I think, 95 carries for 1,000 yards. If I had 95 catches, how much yards you think I’d have? If I had 95 targets on defense what you think I’d have? If I had 95 catches on offense, what do you think I’d have?” Hunter asked again.

“So I try to tell you, he’s got double the touches I’ve got on the offensive side of the ball and I still have defensive stats that’s still crazy and we’re only in Week 6,” Hunter added. “So I’m not gonna argue about it.”

Jeanty leads college football with an impressive 1,248 yards on the ground and 17 rushing touchdowns this season. These are unprecedented numbers for a running back through just six games so far this season.

Meanwhile, in that same six-game stretch, Hunter has played 322 snaps on offense and 341 on defense. Leading the Big 12 with 49 receptions and his team with 587 yards and six touchdowns as a wide receiver. Also regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the nation with 16 tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and a game-winning forced fumble in overtime against Griffin’s Bears.

Both players have undoubtedly been impressive in their own ways, but each will have to finish the season the same way they started things if they want to beat out one another and the rest of the field for this year’s Heisman Trophy.