BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Travis Hunter, the Colorado Buffaloes’ dynamic two-way standout, has been named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. Hunter earned 26 of 43 votes from AP Top 25 voters, edging out Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who garnered 16 votes, and Arizona State’s Cameron Skattebo, who received one vote.

A rare talent in college football, Hunter excels both as a wide receiver and a cornerback, rarely leaving the field and making game-changing plays in both roles. Known for his electrifying performances, Hunter also keeps fans entertained with creative touchdown and interception celebrations, including a signature Heisman Trophy pose.

Reflecting on his success, Hunter credited his team, saying, “I couldn’t do what I do without my team. So I view being up for these awards as team awards.”

Hunter’s remarkable versatility reminds fans of legendary players like Charles Woodson at Michigan, Champ Bailey at Georgia, and his coach, Deion Sanders, who also thrived in both offensive and defensive roles during his NFL career. Hunter’s decision to join Coach Prime, first at Jackson State and now at Colorado, was driven by his desire to play both sides of the ball—an opportunity only Sanders offered.

“I’m motivated when people tell me I can’t do something,” Hunter shared. “That I can’t dominate on both sides of the ball. I want to be an example for others that anything is possible. Keep pursuing your dreams.”

This season, Hunter helped Colorado finish with a 9-3 record, securing a spot in the Alamo Bowl against BYU on December 28. Over the course of the season, he played 688 defensive snaps and 672 offensive snaps, making him the only player in the Power Five conferences with over 30 snaps on both sides of the ball.

Hunter’s achievements don’t end with the AP Player of the Year award. He also won his second consecutive Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football. He is also in the running for several prestigious awards, including the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award (best receiver), and Bednarik Award (top defensive player). Additionally, Hunter is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, which he could bring home this weekend, becoming only the second Colorado player to win the award after Rashaan Salaam’s victory in 1994.

Despite his stellar season, Hunter wasn’t a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back, a decision that upset Coach Sanders, who vowed to give his own 1988 Thorpe Award to Hunter.

Hunter’s high school coach, Lenny Gregory, recognized his exceptional talent as early as Hunter’s freshman year. Gregory recalls telling college recruiters that Hunter would one day be the top player in the country. “They’d laugh at me, saying ‘What are you talking about? This scrawny kid?’ I told them, ‘Just watch. Just watch.’”

This season, Hunter finished with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, he recorded four interceptions, broke up 11 passes, and forced one fumble that helped secure a dramatic overtime win over Baylor. Hunter was targeted 119 times by his own quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, but only 39 times by opposing quarterbacks, showcasing his dominance on both sides of the ball.

Hunter’s likely final game in Boulder, a commanding victory over Oklahoma State, included three touchdowns and one interception, a performance that left fans and teammates in awe.

“I’m used to seeing him do all this spectacular stuff,” said Shedeur Sanders. “You all are just now seeing it on a national stage.”

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After Ohio State’s heartbreaking 13-10 loss to Michigan, the Buckeye seniors faced a painful reality: they would finish their careers without ever defeating their fiercest rivals. Among the postgame press conferences, Cody Simon’s stood out, filled with emotion as he reflected on the game and its impact.

Simon, who had been one of 11 senior players to return to Ohio State for another season, had hoped to lead the team to victory over Michigan—the team that had defeated them for three straight years. With tears in his eyes, Simon expressed regret: “I feel like I let your guys down, let all of Buckeye Nation down. There was more we could have done… I’m sorry.”

Although the Buckeyes had already secured a spot in the College Football Playoff, that didn’t ease the pain for players, coaches, or fans. The loss to Michigan, known as The Game, was about more than just a playoff berth—it was a crushing blow for the seniors, who will end their careers without a win over the Wolverines.

Quarterback Will Howard, who transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State, said, “I don’t really have much to say right now. I know we’re a two-loss team, we’re going to make a run in the playoffs, but this one hurts. It hurts.”

CAPTAIN JACK WITH THE INTERCEPTION

UNBELIEVABLE PLAY FOR @OHIOSTATEFB pic.twitter.com/RLD2Qwa3Tc

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024

The loss was especially difficult considering the Buckeyes had a chance for a full-circle moment. After Howard threw his second interception, preventing Ohio State from scoring in the red zone for the third time that game, Michigan took control. The Wolverines put together a 77-yard, 15-play drive that drained over nine minutes from the clock. The drive ended with a 1st-and-goal from the 3-yard line, when senior defensive end Jack Sawyer made a key interception off Michigan quarterback Davis Warren.

But that moment of hope was short-lived. Ohio State’s next drive went three plays and out, and Michigan quickly marched down the field again, kicking a go-ahead field goal with 45 seconds remaining. The Buckeyes’ final possession ended in four plays, with no chance to respond.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, who had expected his team to win and advance to the Big Ten Championship, expressed disbelief: “Never thought this would happen right here. We were expecting to win this game and then go play in the Big Ten Championship, and neither of those things happened.”

This was an all-in season for the Buckeyes, who spent millions of dollars on NIL deals and transfers to strengthen the team and ensure the return of their senior players. Howard was one of those transfers, along with safety Caleb Downs, who had a strong performance with 11 tackles and an interception. But despite those efforts, Howard’s two interceptions and a big hit that knocked him out of the game for a short period took a toll. He finished with 175 yards, completing just 19 of 33 passes (58%) with an average of only 5.3 yards per attempt.

As a senior, Howard was deeply invested in the outcome. “I still love this team, I still love this university,” he said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get this one done.”

The game ended in a mix of frustration and disappointment. The Buckeye seniors watched helplessly as their last shot at achieving two of their three yearly goals—beating Michigan and winning the Big Ten—slipped away. A brawl broke out when Michigan tried to plant a flag at midfield, further souring the mood.

Before the final whistle, boos echoed through Ohio Stadium as the Buckeyes struggled to capitalize on key opportunities in the second half. Day understood the fans’ anger, acknowledging, “Everybody wants to win this game in the worst way. Nobody wants to win it more than we do. And when you don’t do that, there’s disappointment and frustration. I don’t blame anybody for being upset. I’m upset more than anybody. The players are too, and the coaches. We know what we’re getting into here.”

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