Travis Hunter may soon be receiving his first trophy of the season — the Jim Thorpe Award from his coach, Deion Sanders. Sanders no longer wants the award for himself.
This comes after Hunter, a standout two-way player and Heisman Trophy candidate for Colorado, was not named as a finalist for the prestigious award given to the nation’s top defensive back. Sanders, who won the award in 1988 while at Florida State, was upset when he heard the news on Tuesday.
“How? How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Jim Thorpe Award?” Sanders asked. His team, the 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 Big 12, No. 25 CFP), will finish the regular season on Friday against Oklahoma State, needing a win and other results to reach the conference title game. “You can have my award. You can have it back. Matter of fact, I’m gonna give him mine. I ain’t using it, just sitting up there collecting dust.”
The finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, announced Tuesday, included Jahdae Barron from Texas, Caleb Downs from Ohio State, and Malaki Starks from Georgia — but not Hunter.
Hunter has three interceptions and nine pass breakups this season, despite not being targeted much due to his excellent coverage skills. He also made a key play in Colorado’s overtime win against Baylor when he forced a fumble that ended the game.
“If this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football, that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award,” Sanders said. “How in the world is Travis Hunter not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award? They just pretty much messed up all the integrity of the award, and he can have mine. Whoever’s voting down there, whoever is bringing it home — thank you, because I don’t even want mine now.”
This is one of the few awards Hunter hasn’t been named a finalist for in a season where he has excelled on both offense and defense. He is also in the running for other major awards such as the Maxwell (best overall player), Biletnikoff (best receiver), Bednarik (top defensive player), Paul Hornung (most versatile), and Walter Camp (player of the year).
Hunter is also considered a favorite for the Heisman, as he rarely leaves the field. He has caught 82 passes for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns while being a frequent target for quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
