November 17th 2024.
On a sunny Saturday at Folsom Field, the 17th-ranked Colorado Buffaloes dominated Utah with a final score of 49-24. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, affectionately known as QB1, couldn't help but laugh as he recounted the play where he tripped over wide receiver Travis Hunter's Heisman. As Shedeur explained, the defensive back landed on him and he fell backwards. But in the end, it didn't matter because he knew that Travis would make the right decision in that situation.
But before we get to that pivotal play, let me give you some background. "Heisman" was the name of a pass play that the Buffs had been working on for weeks. And with just 2:30 left in the game and the Buffs on the 5-yard line, they finally unveiled it. Charlie Offerdahl took the snap and handed the ball off to the two-way star, Travis Hunter. The plan was for Travis to throw the ball into the end zone for Shedeur. It was supposed to be the perfect moment to showcase Travis' talents to the national audience watching on FOX's Big Noon broadcast. After all, he's not just a guy with an incredible vertical and sticky grip like Superman and Spider-Man.
But as the saying goes, "Man plans, God laughs." Shedeur ended up tripping and falling, and the ball sailed past him. But Travis, with his inner Ashton Jeanty shining through, took control of the situation. With four pass-rushers closing in on him, he juked and weaved his way through the backfield, leaving a trail of white jerseys in his wake. He then cut back and exploded past four more Utah defenders, hopping into the end zone for an incredible touchdown. What was supposed to be a routine play turned into a work of art.
After the game, Coach Deion Sanders (yes, the same Deion Sanders you're thinking of) couldn't help but gush about Travis, saying, "If you can't see it, they can't see it. Travis is who he is. He's supposed to go to the best college football player. I think that's been a wrap since, what, Week 2? So we ain't petitioning for it... If they can't see it, there's a problem."
Forget the stats. Just trust your eyes. As ESPN college football writer Max Olson put it, "The people who want to say he's overrated or overhyped are just flat-out wrong. These guys are special."
Travis Hunter is a one-of-a-kind player, much like Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Sure, Ashton Jeanty has been exceptional at Boise State, but let's not forget that he's been putting up those numbers against some of the weakest teams in the Mountain West. Just watch the end of the first half against Utah again and see how Travis effortlessly leaps into the air to make an incredible catch. Could Jeanty do that on fourth-and-8? And in the first quarter, watch as Travis closes in on a deflected pass, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Could Alabama's quarterback Jalen Milroe have made that interception?
The Heisman is not just about stacking numbers, it's about stacking moments. And Travis has had plenty of those this season. He might not have the typical stats you'd expect from a Heisman candidate, but he's also not your typical player. He's playing two positions at an elite level, and doing it with grace and style. But will the Heisman voters see it that way?
As Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer points out, Travis' uniqueness on the field will definitely catch the attention of voters on the East Coast. And with multiple appearances on the Big Noon broadcast, it's important for Travis to put on a show every time he's on that stage. And as luck would have it, the spotlight always seems to find him.
When you have plays like the one-handed catch he made against Utah, it's hard to ignore his talent. As Olson said, "Stacking those special moments will continue to matter... Because I think we're already at a point where people are willing to consider him whether he has eight interceptions or three. I think there's enough appreciation for Travis Hunter being one of one in the sport."
If it comes down to a contest of padding stats, Travis doesn't stand a chance. But if it's about seeing things on the football field that you've never seen before and may never see again, then he's your guy. Ashton Jeanty may be chasing Barry Sanders' records, but there's already been a Barry Sanders. There's never been anyone like Travis Hunter.
So let's trust our eyes and not get caught up in the numbers. Let's appreciate the uniqueness and brilliance of Travis Hunter, the one-of-a-kind player who is pushing the boundaries and paving his own way in the world of college football. And if you want more sports news, be sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the analysis on Denver's teams.
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