By Mark Pszonak
Travis Hunter is a unique and extremely talented player who will excel at either wide receiver or cornerback in the NFL. Because of these talents he is also one of the deserving favorites for this season’s Heisman Trophy. However, comments he made on Wednesday regarding another favorite, Ashton Jeanty, were flawed, unnecessary and selfish.
If you missed his comments, you can listen for yourself:
“[Ashton Jeanty] has 95 carries for 1000 yards? If I had 95 catches how many yards do you think I’d have?”
Travis Hunter wants his Heismanpic.twitter.com/ftoY3F7wwo
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 16, 2024
Not everything he says is incorrect.
“We haven’t seen a player that plays both ways and I’m gonna keep saying that”
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While not entirely true, it has been a while since someone has excelled as a two-way player (looking at you Gordie Lockbaum). What he is doing this season is worthy of the Heisman. The chances of him winning will likely depend on being able to stay healthy and how Colorado finishes the season, but for now he is very deserving of being a finalist and in NYC for the presentation.
Now onto the problematic comments
“I mean y’all see Ashton Jeanty. It’s not like we haven’t seen a running back that’s good.”
First, Jeanty has been better than good. In six games he has already rushed for 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns, while averaging 9.9 yards per carry. He is averaging 208 rushing yards per game. Travis, yes, we have seen good running backs, but this is a little bit better than “good”.
Also, it isn’t as though running backs have been piling up Heisman’s during this century. The most recent running back to win the Heisman was Derrick Henry in 2015. The only other two to win during the 2000’s were Mark Ingram in 2009 and Reggie Bush in 2005. A running back must be special to win the Heisman, which Jeanty has been in 2024.
And then, what is the purpose of saying this?
“He has 95 carries for 1,000 yards. If I had 95 catches, how much yards would you think I’d have?”
That’s actually very simple to figure out. Hunter would have 1,140 yards receiving on 95 receptions because he is averaging 12.0 yards per reception this season. Also, 12.0 yards per reception currently doesn’t place him in the top 200 nationally in that statistic.
What makes Hunter special is his ability to be a difference maker on both sides of the ball. That is why he has a realistic chance to win the Heisman. If he only played wide receiver, he would be an afterthought in the Heisman race.
Finally, why is it necessary for Hunter to be running a Heisman campaign in mid-October? It isn’t. He has been doing enough on the field to run the campaign for him. And Coach Deion Sanders will surely do more than enough to remind the world of Hunter’s talents on a continuous basis.
Colorado is better than many expected. Hunter should be focusing on the team right now with the Buffs trying to stay relevant in the Big 12 title race. Stick with the politically correct answers to Heisman questions, “I’m focused on the team”, “I wouldn’t be in this position without my team”, etc. While it would be bs, it is what is needed to win the Heisman. Voters get turned off easily, that’s just the way it goes. Hunter just needs to keep his head down and continue doing what he has been doing, and if wins are a result of that, it will put an even bigger spotlight on him.
There is no reason for him to make it all about Travis Hunter right now, because without his teammates he has zero chance of winning the Heisman.
