Kirk Herbstreit names Travis Hunter 2024 Defensive Player of the Year in annual Herbie Awards

Colorado wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter had one of the best two-way seasons in college football history during his 2024 campaign with the Buffaloes. As a receiver, he hauled in 92 catches for 1,152 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. As a runner, he had five rushing touchdowns. And as a defensive back, he snatched four interceptions and racked up 11 pass breakups. And on Friday evening, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit gave him some more hardware, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year in the annual Herbie Awards.

Don’t tell Travis Hunter he can’t play offense and defense in the NFL because the Heisman finalist will tell you differently.

The two-way star from Colorado has made it no secret that he wants to excel at both in the pros.

A projected Top 10 or 5 pick, Hunter made it clear on the latest edition of The Pivot Podcast.

“I want to play both,” Hunter said. “A lot of people told me I wasn’t gonna do it at the college level. I ended up doing it. I know there’s a lot of people telling me I can’t do the NFL. And then when I end up doing it, they gonna say … I know it’s a lot to bite off. But hey, I believe I can do it. I’m not gonna say like I’m the best ever, but I believe I could do it. So why not go out there and do it? Nobody else has done it.”

Can he play both sides? Hunter’s proved it time and time again in college. The NFL is a different monster and he knows that.

But if there’s one guy who can attest to Hunter’s skill, it’s Deion Sanders.

“Call Coach Prime,” Hunter said. “He’ll let you know the answer. Yeah, they know how I feel. I want to play both sides. There’s nothing gonna change my mind. You can tell me all day. Nah, you can’t play both sides of the ball. I’m gonna keep telling you, yes I can. That’s what I want to do. You have not seen me not play both sides of the ball since you’ve been watching me, so why not do it now?”

Travis Hunter has a great chance at winning the Heisman Trophy

If anything, Hunter has a legit shot at winning the Heisman over guys like Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward and Dillon Gabriel.

“I think Travis clinched the Heisman,” Sanders said, before pausing and then starting up again. “Thank you God, for stopping me. Because I almost said something. I think Travis clinched the Heisman with his performance. I think he made a lot of people aware of how ignorant they was with the Thorpe. 

“His performance today, what’d he have? Three touchdowns, 100 yards and an interception and two passes broken up. Should’ve had another pick. Hit him right in the darn chest. I’m not happy about that, but I’m happy with him. But it’s phenomenal.”

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.