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We’re going to need a bigger Legacy Hall...
Buffaloes two-way superstar Travis Hunter had himself a night on Thursday, taking home three major Player of the Year awards at ESPN’s College Football Awards.
Hunter snagged the Bednarik, Biletnikoff, and Walter Camp Awards for his amazing 2024 season. All those trophies mean vastly different things and are some of college football’s most prestigious postseason awards, so allow us to break down what they all mean.
The Chuck Bednarik Award, named after the legendary UPenn linebacker and center, is awarded annually to the best defensive player in all of college football. Hunter’s four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and ability to lock up an entire side of the football field proved enough for him to take home this prestigious award.
Interestingly, Hunter wasn’t even named a finalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back. How can somebody be named Defensive Player of the Year and not earn the Player of the Year Award at their specific position? That’s a good question, and something that Colorado fans have been annoyed about over the last month.
All is well that ends well though, as Colorado head coach Deion Sanders gave Hunter his Thorpe Award that he won in 1988 at Florida State. Hunter ended up getting his Thorpe Award, although through very unconventional means.
Hunter also took home the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the best wide receiver in all of college football. Although Colorado has had a history of great receivers with the likes of Michael Westbrook, Charles Johnson, and Laviska Shenault Jr. coming out of Boulder, Hunter is the first Buffalo to win the Biletnikoff. Hunter is also the first player in the history of college football to win both the Biletnikoff and a major Defensive Player of the Year award, only adding to his legend.
Last but not least, Hunter was named Walter Camp Player of the Year, one of two major national Player of the Year awards outside of the Heisman Trophy. Rashaan Salaam is the only other Buffalo to win the Walter Camp, who was awarded the trophy in 1994. Perhaps not so coincidentally, Salaam also won the Heisman Trophy that season. Hunter is also the first season in college football history to win the Walter Camp after being named to the offensive AND defensive All-American team.
The only major trophy that Hunter didn’t walk away with was the Maxwell Award, the other major non-Heisman Player of the Year award outside of the Walter Camp. In 1994, Salaam also won the Walter Camp and not the Maxwell, which was given to Penn State quarterback Kerry Collins. Perhaps history will repeat itself exactly 30 years later.
Other major awards that Hunter has won announced prior to Thursday’s award show include the Paul Hornung Award, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, and the Ronnie Lott Award.
We may need a bigger Champions Center to fit all of Hunter’s new hardware after we’re all said and done with awards season...
Congrats, Travis! We’re so glad you came to Boulder and chose to be a Buffalo!
by RylandScholes
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