Shedeur Sanders Issues Bold Statement in Support of Travis Hunter Amid Awards Debate

The Colorado star was snubbed for the Jim Thorpe Award and his quarterback stuck up for him.
Hunter was not nominated as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Hunter was not nominated as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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Shedeur Sanders is sticking up for his teammate.

The finalists for several major college football awards were announced on Tuesday and many were shocked Colorado's Travis Hunter was not among the finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award. Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders was furious his star player wasn't included.

Hunter was named a finalist for the Maxwell Award, given to the best all-around player; the Biletnikoff, for the best wide receiver; the Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player; the Hornung Award, which is given to the nation's most versatile player; and the Walter Camp Award, which honors the nation's most outstanding player.

Hunter's quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, jumped on social media to defend his teammate. He tweeted, "@TravisHunterJr is the best player in college football."

It's clear the Sanders family believes Hunter was snubbed.

Hunter is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy this year. Through 11 games he has 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns, with an additional rushing touchdown. On defense, he has made 30 tackles, defended nine passes, intercepted three, and forced a fumble.

He should take home plenty of hardware when the season is over.


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Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.