Colorado's Travis Hunter Named AP Player of the Year, Becomes Heisman Favorite

Dec 12, 2024, 06:00 PM

Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter has been named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters, surpassing Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty, who received 16 votes, and Cam Skattebo, who received one vote. Hunter also won a second consecutive Paul Hornung Award, recognizing the most versatile player in college football, and was named to the USA TODAY Sports All-America team. As the last eight AP Players of the Year have gone on to win the Heisman Trophy, Hunter is considered a heavy favorite for the award. Patrick Surtain of the Denver Broncos praised Hunter, calling him "special" and supporting his Heisman candidacy. Hunter is the second player in Colorado Buffaloes history to earn a national player of the year honor, joining Rashaan Salaam from 1994. Additionally, he has been selected as the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team selections as both receiver and cornerback on the AP All-Big 12 team. Colorado led the conference with four first-team selections and tied for the lead with six overall selections on the AP All-Big 12 team.