Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders publicly defended teammate Travis Hunter after his exclusion from Jim Thorpe Award finalists, declaring him “the best player in college football.”
Hunter, despite missing the defensive back award nomination, remains a finalist for five major honors including the Maxwell, Biletnikoff, Bednarik, Hornung and Walter Camp awards.
His dual-threat performance includes 1,036 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns while recording 30 tackles and three interceptions on defense through 11 games.
Head coach Deion Sanders joined his son in criticizing Hunter’s omission from Thorpe consideration. The snub comes amid Hunter’s potential Heisman Trophy campaign.
Hunter’s versatility shows in his stats: 82 receptions, a rushing touchdown, nine passes defended and a forced fumble. His two-way impact makes him unique among college football’s elite players.
The awards oversight sparked debate about recognition criteria, with the Sanders family leading support for Hunter’s achievements. His finalist status for multiple other awards indicates broad acknowledgment of his talents despite the Thorpe exclusion.
College football analysts note the rarity of Hunter’s two-way excellence at the Power Five level. His performance metrics rank among program leaders on both offense and defense.
The controversy highlights evolving discussions about player evaluation in modern college football, particularly regarding versatile athletes contributing across multiple positions.
Hunter’s statistics place him among the nation’s top performers at both wide receiver and defensive back positions. Industry observers suggest the dual-role success could influence future award category considerations.
The Thorpe Award’s focus on defensive specialization may have worked against Hunter’s candidacy despite his elite coverage skills. Selection committee criteria traditionally favor players dedicated solely to defensive duties.
Colorado‘s coaching staff continues advocating for Hunter’s recognition across all eligible awards. His impact on both sides of the ball represents a distinctive achievement in contemporary college football.
The Sanders family’s vocal support emphasizes Hunter’s value to Colorado’s program beyond traditional position-specific metrics. His versatility provides strategic advantages in game planning and execution.
Award recognition often influences NFL draft positioning and professional opportunities. Hunter’s multiple finalist nominations suggest strong professional prospects despite the Thorpe Award oversight.
Social media response to Sanders’ defense of Hunter demonstrates widespread support for recognizing exceptional multi-position performance in college football’s awards structure.
