Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders doesn’t need to look at the Heisman Trophy ballot to know who he would vote for — his teammate Travis Hunter. “Best player in college football, hands down,” Sanders said.
The Buffaloes are in great shape with Hunter, who hardly leaves the field as both an outstanding receiver and cornerback. Deion Sanders, the coach and Shedeur’s father, shares the same high praise for Hunter.
However, he is puzzled about why his son doesn’t receive more recognition. Hunter is ranked among the top three Heisman contenders, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, while Shedeur Sanders is considered a long shot.
“He’s so darn good that we don’t give him the credit that he deserves for some of the things that he does,” Deion Sanders said after a 34-23 win over Cincinnati on Saturday that helped the 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) become bowl eligible.
“And they don’t even mention him for the Heisman? He’s not even mentioned? Oh, my bad, he’s my son. That’s what.”
Colorado’s only Heisman winner was Rashaan Salaam in 1994 when he rushed for 2,055 yards. The Buffaloes have also had running backs Byron “Whizzer” White (1937) and Eric Bieniemy (1990) finish in the top three in voting.
Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, both likely to be top NFL picks, only improved their resumes with great performances last weekend. Hunter was everywhere, playing 68 of 71 snaps on offense, all 61 on defense, and three on special teams, according to Colorado’s report. At cornerback, he had four pass breakups.
Offensively, Hunter had nine catches for a career-high 153 yards and two touchdowns, including one celebrated with an impressive backflip.
His performance earned him the Big 12 Conference’s offensive player of the week award on Monday. Hunter made history as the first player in the league to win both the offensive and defensive weekly award, as announced by the Big 12. He was also named the conference’s defensive player of the week in September.
“Travis is the best college football player in the country. We all know that,” said Deion Sanders, whose team has a bye week before their game at Texas Tech on Nov. 9. “There has never been a Travis Hunter ever — ever. I’m up here saying that.”
Shedeur Sanders also had a great game. He completed his first 15 passes against Cincinnati, setting a school record for starting a game. He finished with 25 of 30 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran for a score.
He doesn’t mind being in Hunter’s shadow when it comes to the Heisman talk.
“I just want Travis to win, of course, and that will be almost like I won, because I’m throwing the ball,” Sanders explained. “That would truly just make my day right there.”
Sanders’ stats are nearly as impressive as last season when he set the school record for most passing yards in a single season with 3,230 yards, even though he missed the last game due to a back fracture.
After eight games last year, he had thrown for 2,637 yards and 21 touchdowns. This season, with better protection from a restructured offensive line, he has 2,591 yards and 21 touchdowns.
