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DEION SANDERS has claimed that the Heisman Trophy has effectively “been a wrap” since Week 2 of the college season.
The Colorado Buffaloes head coach refused to campaign for star cornerback Travis Hunter to win the award, suggesting that it’s obvious that he is the best college player in the country already.
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Hunter, 21, has had an exceptional year for Colorado and increased his chances of winning the coveted award with another eye-catching performance as the Buffaloes beat Utah 49-24 on Saturday.
Once again playing nearly every snap on both offense and defense, Hunter left the field with an interception, a touchdown and a highlight reel catch to set up another TD.
And the Florida-born star even struck the Heisman pose after his pick.
Coach Sanders didn’t even want to entertain the idea of pleading Hunter’s case for the trophy when asked if he had a message for undecided Heisman voters.
He said: “If they can’t see they can’t see. It is what it is, Travis is who he is.
“It’s supposed to go to the best college football player. I think that’s been a wrap since what, Week 2?
“We ain’t petitioning for nobody, we ain’t doing that. We have a wonderful display of cameras here and I think we’re on national television every week. If they can’t see it, there’s a problem.
“Don’t allow their hatred of me to interfere with our kids’ success.
“They gotta stop that. Y’all gotta stop that … y’all gotta stop that man. Give the kids what they deserve.”
Hunter is currently the overwhelming favorite to win the award that has been lifted by the likes of Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels in recent years.
Hunter’s two-way player skillset have allowed him to shine as both a cornerback and a wide-receiver this season.
But there are now concerns that the 21-year-old superstar may have settle into just one position going forward, especially if he wants to make it in the NFL.
Hunter, who is currently projected to be the number one overall pick in the 2025 Draft, has been struggling with injuries due to playing so many competitive snaps.
He is currently averaging 116 snaps per game and has played around 80 percent of all of Colorado’s plays this season.
And his excessive involvement led to injury last year as the Colorado junior missed out on multiple weeks after taking a big hit that led to a lacerated liver.
Former quarterback Cam Newton suggested that Hunter can make his two-way status work in the NFL, but he will have to take fewer snaps on either offense or defense.
“Yes, I do think he can play both,” Newton said.
“Now, do I think the volume of plays—can he play 72 plays on defense and another 57 plays on offense in the NFL?
“No. I think a guy with Travis’ skillset focuses on defense.”
