Travis Hunter considers what Heisman Trophy would mean to him

With the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony set to take place on Saturday, it seems an inevitability that Colorado star Travis Hunter will win. He enters as the massive favorite over the other three finalists, expected to become just the second Buffaloes player ever to win the award.

Hunter plays both offense and defense for Colorado and his numbers speak for themselves. Not only is he the team’s leading receiver with 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, but he also has 32 tackles, four interceptions and 11 passes defended.

Speaking on The Pivot Podcast, Hunter opened up on what winning the Heisman would mean to him and just how long it’s been a dream of his.

“I did it for my family, I did it for all the players and all the coaches that’s been coming in and out of my life and I did it for myself, most importantly,” he said. “I remember playing NCAA 10 and we was out there putting our players on Oregon. They had all the best uniforms back in the day. So I’m at receiver, he’s at quarterback and we’re both in the Heisman race. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant. But now I understand that’s the best player in the world in college football that year.

“It’s gonna mean so much to me. I know I’m gonna break down and cry after everybody goes away, because I’m gonna try to act tough in front of everybody. But for my family, it’s gonna mean so much. I’m the first to go to college. The first to get to the NFL. I’ll be able to take care of my family for the rest of my life.”

In large part due to Hunter’s stardom, Colorado finished with its best record (9-3) since 2016. The Buffaloes were right in the race to play for a Big 12 Championship, but ultimately failed to make the game after they lost the tiebreaker in a four-way tie atop the conference standings.

Other players such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who has the fourth-most rushing yards in FBS history and counting, and Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel have also put together incredible years. But in Hunter’s mind, nothing can compare to what he does on both sides of the ball.

“I definitely believe I deserve to win it,” he said. “What player do you know that can play receiver, get double teamed, still get 1,000 yards and the game plan is about you on the offensive side of the ball? Then you go to the defensive side of the ball and the game plan is still about you. I still ended up with four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 30-something tackles. I gave up one touchdown, which was all my fault. I was sleeping out there and getting too relaxed, but I bounced back. I should have had at least, I think, seven interceptions but defense is way harder catching the ball than on offense. I had butter fingers the last couple of games, but still was able to come back with one more before the season ended.

“I definitely think I should have won it and you’ve never seen a player like me, as we were just talking about earlier. I don’t think there’s every gonna be another player that goes out there and plays 1,000 snaps a season. It’s kind of crazy. They always talk about, ‘He’s playing a lot of snaps.’ But if you actually look at the game instead of the highlights, I’m always out there running 100%. Just hustle plays that you don’t get to see. I’m out there running people, putting in all my effort and then the next play I’m fully energized to do it again. It’s not a lot of people that can do that.”

Hunter has a bright future ahead of him in the NFL, where he is expected to be a top pick in next year’s draft. Before then, however, he’ll look to leave his mark on the college game one last time.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is set for 8 p.m. ET in New York and will be televised on ESPN.