Travis Hunter has done what few others have achieved, bringing the Heisman Memorial Trophy back to Boulder for the first time in 30 years. The University of Colorado’s two-way star etched his name into the history books on Saturday night as college football’s most outstanding player in 2024. His electrifying performances on both offense and defense not only transformed Colorado’s football season but also broke the nearly two-decade dominance of quarterbacks winning the prestigious award.

Travis Hunter was a game-changer for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024, playing nearly 1,400 snaps across both offense and defense. His athleticism and versatility led to Colorado’s remarkable turnaround, with the team securing five more wins than the previous season. This historic campaign echoes the triumph of Rashaan Salaam, Colorado’s only other Heisman winner, who claimed the honor in 1994.

For over two decades, the Heisman Trophy has largely belonged to quarterbacks. Travis Hunter disrupted that trend, becoming just the fourth non-quarterback winner since 2000. With Alabama’s Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) and DeVonta Smith (2020) being the only exceptions, Hunter’s win shines a spotlight on the impact of multi-dimensional players who excel outside the quarterback position.

Hunter’s numbers speak volumes. Receiving 552 first-place votes and appearing on 93.32% of the total ballots, he earned 2,231 total points, easily outpacing second-place finisher Ashton Jeanty of Boise State. Hunter dominated five of six voting regions, proving his influence stretched far beyond Boulder.

Travis Hunter’s Heisman win is about more than individual accolades; it’s a testament to the resurgence of Colorado football. Under the leadership of head coach Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes have reemerged as a force in college football, and Hunter has been at the center of this transformation.

Hunter’s success also paved the way for his teammate, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, to finish eighth in Heisman balloting, marking a significant achievement for the Buffaloes. With a program on the rise and talent flooding into Boulder, Colorado football fans have plenty to celebrate and even more to look forward to.

Travis Hunter’s Heisman win is not just a moment of pride for the University of Colorado Boulder—it’s a story of grit, talent, and determination. By rewriting the script of what a Heisman winner can be, Hunter has inspired athletes everywhere to push boundaries and redefine expectations.

As fans celebrate this historic win, they also recognize what this means for the future of Colorado football: a new era of excellence, driven by players like Travis Hunter and a program determined to reclaim its place among college football’s elite.

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