The Colorado Buffaloes have a rich football history, with a national championship in 1990 and 27 bowl game appearances. Since the 1980s, the program has produced some of the best players the sport has ever seen, including two who earned college football’s most respected individual award: the Heisman Trophy.
Who are the Players from Colorado Who Managed to Win the Heisman Trophy?
Colorado has been a highly acclaimed program, particularly during its Big Eight and Big 12 eras. The program’s rise in the late 1980s under coach Bill McCartney set the stage for its rise and made it a home for nurturing quality talent in College Football, eventually leading to Heisman wins. According to the University of Colorado Athletics, the Buffaloes have had four Heisman finalists since 1982, with two taking home the trophy.
1) Rashaan Salaam (1994)
Rashaan Salaam, a 6-foot-1 running back, became Colorado’s first Heisman winner in 1994. Salaam rushed for a school-record 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns that season, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. His performance powered the Buffaloes to an 11-1 record, capped by a 41-24 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. Salaam’s 362-yard game against Texas remains a program highlight, as noted by the Heisman Trust.
Salaam won the 1994 Heisman in a landslide, earning 1,743 votes compared to Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter’s 901, according to theheismanwinners.com. Tragically, Salaam passed away in 2016; his No. 19 jersey is retired by Colorado.
2) Travis Hunter (2024)
On December 14, 2024, Travis Hunter made history as Colorado’s second Heisman winner. The 6-foot-1 two-way star, who transferred from Jackson State in 2022 with coach Deion Sanders, delivered a season for the ages.
Hunter led with 21 catches of 20+ yards, racking up seven 100-yard receiving games, while defensively, he notched 31 tackles, four interceptions, and 15 passes defended, per NCAA stats. His dual-threat potential earned him the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Hunter beat Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, and Miami’s Cam Ward. Under Sanders’ guidance, Hunter breathed life back into a program that was struggling to get national recognition again.
Other Heisman Finalists
Colorado has produced other Heisman contenders. In 1989, quarterback Darian Hagan finished fifth with 1,285 passing yards and 17 total touchdowns, leading the Buffaloes to an 11-1 season. Running back Eric Bieniemy placed third in 1990, rushing for 1,628 yards and 17 scores during Colorado’s national championship run.
KEEP READING: Louisville Cardinals Heisman Trophy Winners: A Complete List and History
More Heisman contenders may emerge as Colorado continues its resurgence under Deion Sanders. Salaam and Hunter stand as the gold standard for Colorado as their titles secure their legacy.
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