Travis Hunter's extraordinary versatility on the football field has made him a standout player. His ability to excel at both wide receiver and defensive back, a feat rarely seen in modern football, has earned him widespread recognition and comparisons to legendary athletes like Paul Hornung.
What Travis Hunter does on a football field is attributable to athleticism, stamina, and versatility. But more than that, it is a testament to sheer audacity. Who else would have the guts to even try it? In a two-platoon, hyperspecialized football world, the Colorado junior had the self-assurance to believe he could excel at both wide receiver and defensive back.
He paired that self-belief with the perfect coach in Deion Sanders, himself a multipurpose football player and two-sport professional athlete who refused to have limitations placed upon him. And then Hunter went out and did it, producing on both sides of the ball in a way that hasn’t been done at the highest level of the sport in about 70 years. Between then and now, a lot of all-time greats have dabbled in playing both ways—Chris Gamble at Ohio State, Champ Bailey at Georgia, and Charles Woodson at Michigan, to name a few. (Sanders himself played both ways as a pro.) But the last player who excelled at multiple positions to a Heisman Trophy-winning degree might have been Paul Hornung, the former Notre Dame quarterback, running back, safety, and kicker who was selected first in the 1957 NFL draft. Fittingly, Hunter is the first two-time recipient of the Paul Hornung Award—given to the most versatile player in college football—winning in 2023 and ’24. And now he’s added the Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has consistently supported and guided Hunter throughout his career. | Ric Tapia/Getty Images Hunter did not have it easy growing up, moving from Florida to Lawrenceville, Ga., in high school and living with five family members in a single room at an extended-stay hotel. Later during his time at Collins Hill High in Suwanee, Hunter spent more than a year living with an assistant coach. Those periods of instability did not derail his football dreams or shake his faith in his family. His eyes welled with tears when he spoke about his father, Travis Hunter S
FOOTBALL VERSATILITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL DEION SANDERS PAUL HORNUNG AWARD
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Heisman candidate Travis Hunter schools Pat Mahomes, Travis Kelce, on being a celebrityWhile Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, 29, and perennial All-Pro Travis Kelce, 35, could teach Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter a thing or two about winning or catching passes, Hunter, the face of college football, schooled his elders on being a celebrity.
Read more »
Travis Hunter Shares His Football Dream, and It Isn't Winning the HeismanThe two-way Colorado star is the favorite to take home the award, but he'll have a chance to secure his biggest goal in a few months.
Read more »
Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter is the AP college football player of the yearColorado's Travis Hunter — an elite receiver one moment, a lockdown cornerback the next — is the AP college football player of the year.
Read more »
Colorado's Travis Hunter named 2024 AP College Football Player of the YearBuffaloes two-way star adds another award before Saturday’s Heisman presentation
Read more »
Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter wins Heisman Trophy as college football's top playerTwo-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado has won the Heisman Trophy, punctuating a tireless performance all season by a dynamic player with a unique combination of skills.
Read more »
Travis Hunter wins 2024 Heisman Trophy: Colorado star named best player in college footballAndrew Greif is a freelance sports journalist.
Read more »