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Travis Hunter, the electrifying two-way player for the Colorado Buffaloes, has achieved what many can only dream of by winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
Yet, for the young star, the accolade is only part of a larger mission. Beyond excelling on both sides of the ball, Hunter is driven by a deeply personal goal-to sur the legendary career of his coach, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders.
Hunter, who transferred to Colorado with Sanders after their time at Jackson State, credits Coach Prime for transforming his life and career. Speaking emotionally after the Heisman ceremony, Hunter expressed gratitude for Sanders' mentorship.
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"I thank him so much for changing my life forever," he said.
"Just looking ahead and saying that I can do that and can guard them, dominate that, just makes me want to do even more.
"I keep dominating as much as I can to be better than my coach."
Sanders has been equally vocal about his iration for Hunter, calling him a "once-in-a-lifetime player" and a testament to his philosophy of nurturing greatness.
A season for the history books
Hunter's 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite missing time due to injury, he posted jaw-dropping stats: 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, complemented by four interceptions on defense. His versatility and impact have set him apart, earning him a place in history as only the second full-time defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy.
Hunter attributes his success to his faith, family, and ers. "I thank God, my parents, my teammates, and everyone who believed in me," he said.
Reflecting on his trip to New York for the ceremony, he added, "It's been very fun... Got to meet the rest of the guys and we've been having a fun time having little conversations here and there."