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Deion Sanders blasts 'idiotic' Travis Hunter snub for Jim Thorpe Award

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•11/26/24•

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Deion Sanders blasted the snub of Travis Hunter for the Jim Thorpe Award during his Tuesday press conference.

Hunter, who’s expected to be a Heisman Finalist, was named a finalist for a myriad of awards. But, not the Jim Thorpe Award, which is handed out to the best defensive back in college football.

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Coach Prime had quite the response to the list.

“Something that just transpired, and they brought to my attention today that Travis is a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Player of the Year, Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year, Biletnikoff best receiver, regardless of position and was snubbed by the Thorpe,” Sanders said. “How? How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Jim Thorpe award? You could have my award. You could have it back. Matter of fact, I’m gonna give him mine. I ain’t using it. It’s just sitting up there collecting dust.

“So Travis could have my Thorpe award, because if this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football, that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award, and he is, I would say arguably, but I don’t think it’s really an argument about this young man being the best defensive back in college football.” 

Sanders made it clear that he argued for Hunter’s defensive prowess, not what he did as a receiver in 11 games this season. He was impressive on offense, but Sanders might just think his star player is a bit better defending.

“I ain’t saying nothing about the receiver part of it,” Sanders said. “I’m just talking about defensive back. He rarely gets thrown at. He’s won a game for tackling for us, and he’s always on point. So if you bring up the statistics, I don’t know how in the world Travis Hunter is not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award. They just pretty much messed up all the integrity of the award, and he could have mine. Whoever is voting down there, who’s ever bringing it home, thank you, because I don’t even want mine now. God Bless You.”

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Whether he wins those awards or not, Hunter will play in Colorado’s bowl game, along with Shedeur Sanders, and not sit out for the NFL Draft.

In 11 games this season, Hunter has 82 catches, 1,036 yards, 11 touchdowns, 12.6 yards per catch, 31 tackles, one tackle for loss, three interceptions, nine pass deflections and one forced fumble.

The finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, excluding Hunter, are Jahdae Barron (Texas), Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and Malaki Starks (Georgia).