NEW YORK- Former Jackson State Football standout Travis Hunter claimed college football's most-coveted award Saturday night, taking home the Heisman Trophy to cap an unprecedented week in the world sports.

He becomes the second Heisman winner in Colorado Football history, joining running back Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994. He also became the first student-athlete to have played college football at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level to claim the award.

The final voting had Hunter with 2,231 points, including 552 first-place votes. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was second with 2,017 points (309 first-place ballots), followed by Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (516 points, 24 first-place ballots) and Miami quarterback Cam Ward (229 points, six first-place ballots). 

Hunter was a dominant force on both sides of the ball for Coach Prime's 9-3 Buffs, playing 670 snaps on offense, 686 on defense and 24 on special teams.

At cornerback, he recorded four interceptions and 11 pass breakups while earning a reputation as a true shut-down corner in man-to-man coverage. Pro Football Focus awarded him a 91.1 cover grade, the top mark in the FBS, and he allowed just 22 catches for 205 yards and one touchdown while giving up an FBS-low six first downs.

At wide receiver, he was equally dominant, playing 672 snaps while finishing the regular season with 92 receptions and 14 touchdowns (both Big 12 bests) for 1,152 yards and 53 first downs. He also led the FBS with 21 receptions of 20 yards or longer and had 396 yards after the catch and 185 after contact. 

In just two years, he etched his name into the CU record books. His 14 touchdown receptions are a Colorado season record, his 92 catches rank second and his 1,152 yards rank fifth.  

Three years ago, Hunter was the No. 1 ranked high school recruit in the nation. He spurned all the major offers and instead chose to sign with Coach Sanders at Jackson State.

His decision shocked the nation but it proved to be one that opened the door to the Heisman. Coach Sanders was one of the few coaches who promised him the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball and it was an opportunity Hunter relished.

Hunter played one year at JSU winning a league title in 2022 before following Coach Prime to Boulder, where he immediately played a major role in helping produce a dramatic turnaround.

One year after the Buffs were a 1-11 team, Hunter and the Buffs finished 4-8. This season, they finished 9-3, tied for the regular season lead in the Big 12 standings and were ranked in the top 25 in the Associated Press and coaches polls as well as the final College Football Playoffs rankings.

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
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