The Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter added another prestigious honor to his collection. He earned another accolade right after achieving his Heisman Trophy win; however, it sparked widespread controversy. Despite facing mixed opinions about his Heisman victory, Hunter continues to prove his worth both on and off the field.
Travis Hunter: Creating a Dual-Threat Athlete’s Rise to Fame
Hunter’s accolades include being named to the 2024 Academic All-America football teams by College Sports Communicators (CSC). Alongside other impressive student-athletes from various NCAA divisions, Hunter earned the Academic All-America Team Member of the Year Award for Division I.
Other recipients in different divisions included quarterbacks Brayden Long (Slippery Rock University) and Aaron Syverson (Saint John’s University) and running back Jameson Chesser from Taylor University. This award highlights the well-rounded nature of these student-athletes, acknowledging their performance in both their sport and academics.
Hunter, a defensive back and wide receiver for Colorado, has been one of the most notable players in college football. His dual-threat capability, paired with his academic achievements, sets him apart from many of his peers.
The CSC’s recognition of Hunter is a testament to his hard work, both in the classroom and on the field. For the first time, the recipients of the Academic All-America awards in each division will be invited to attend the 2025 Maxwell Awards Gala at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, where they will be honored.
Hunter’s Impact on Colorado and His Future NFL Potential
Hunter narrowly edged out Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward for the prestigious award. Ward, a fifth-year quarterback, posted remarkable stats during his time at Miami, finishing with 1,515 completions on 2,329 attempts, 18,137 yards, and 158 touchdowns.
These numbers stand out, especially considering Ward was initially considered a zero-star prospect coming out of high school. He didn’t receive any scholarship offers from FBS programs; instead, he landed at an FCS school, Incarnate Word, where he played before transferring to Washington State.
The Heisman controversy also sheds light on Hunter’s remarkable journey. At the beginning of the 2023 season, Deion Sanders revealed that several schools had made offers worth millions of dollars to convince Hunter to transfer.
KEEP READING: Travis Hunter Claims He Can Play ‘All Sports’
These lucrative offers would have tempted many, but Hunter stayed loyal to Sanders and the University of Colorado. Despite the financial temptations, he chose to stay with Colorado, which has seen a resurgence under Sanders’ leadership.
Hunter’s decision to turn down $1.5 million offers to stay with Sanders and Colorado is a move that will likely shape his future. His loyalty to the program has paid off, and now he is projected to be a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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