Upset Deion Sanders plans to give Travis Hunter his Jim Thorpe trophy after the talented two-way player was snubbed as a finalist for the prestigious award recognizing the nation’s top defensive back. Sanders, who previously won the award while playing for Florida State, expressed his outrage during a press conference on Tuesday.
“How? How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Jim Thorpe Award?” asked Sanders. His 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) are set to conclude their regular season against Oklahoma State on Friday, needing a victory and some favorable outcomes to reach the conference title game. “You can have my award. You can have it back. Matter of fact, I’m gonna give him mine. I ain’t using it; it’s just sitting up there collecting dust.”
The list of Jim Thorpe finalists announced on Tuesday included Jahdae Barron from Texas, Caleb Downs from Ohio State, and Malaki Starks from Georgia — but no mention of Hunter.
Despite being rarely targeted due to his exceptional coverage skills, Hunter has recorded three interceptions and nine pass breakups. He also played a crucial role in securing an overtime victory against Baylor by forcing a fumble that sealed the game.
“If this isn’t the most ridiculous thing in college football, that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award,” Sanders stated. “How in the world is Travis Hunter not a finalist? They have compromised the integrity of the award, and he can have mine. Whoever is voting down there — thank you, because I don’t even want mine now.”
This snub is one of the few awards Hunter has not been nominated for during a season where he has excelled on both offense and defense. He remains a contender for several prestigious awards, including the Maxwell (most outstanding player), the Biletnikoff (best receiver), the Bednarik (top defensive player), the Paul Hornung (most versatile), and the Walter Camp (player of the year).
Additionally, Hunter is a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, rarely leaving the field. He has become a favorite target for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, recording 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Scary Hit on Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders narrowly escaped injury from a frightening hit delivered by Kansas defensive end Dean Miller, who took out both of the quarterback’s legs immediately after he released a pass during last Saturday’s 37-21 defeat.
Deion Sanders mentioned that both Kansas coach Lance Leipold and Miller reached out to him following the incident. The plan is for Miller to personally apologize to Shedeur.
“He’s going to apologize, and Shedeur is going to accept it. I know that because Shedeur is not upset about it,” Deion Sanders explained. “Let’s not make a big deal out of something that happened in the heat of the moment. I know how it looked, but the guy was just trying to make a play. They will communicate, so there are no hard feelings.”
Bowl Game for Shedeur Sanders and Hunter?
The matchup against Oklahoma State could mark the final appearance for Hunter and Shedeur Sanders in a Colorado uniform, as both are projected to be top picks in the upcoming NFL draft. However, Deion Sanders downplayed this narrative on Tuesday, suggesting that even if the bowl-eligible Buffaloes do not reach the Big 12 title game, his talented duo might still participate in a bowl game.
“It’s not the last time you’re going to see them in a Buff uniform,” Deion Sanders stated. “These two, along with the other seniors, have done an incredible job of bringing us to this point and establishing high expectations for our fans and ourselves.”
“So we’re going to fight and aim to finish strong. We’re determined to go to a bowl game and wrap this season up on a high note.”
