Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has made it clear that he will defend and fight for star dual-threat player Travis Hunter after he was omitted as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Earlier in the week, Hunter was named a finalist for numerous college football awards, including the Maxwell Award and the Bednarik Award.
However, in an extremely surprising decision, Hunter was not among the finalist list for the top award at his position, the Jim Thorpe Award. Presented annually to the top defensive back in college football, the prestigious honor has been won by Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees and current NFL superstars alike, such as Sanders himself and Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit.
What Did Coach Prime Say About the Travis Hunter Controversy?
In a post to X (formerly known as Twitter), Deion Sanders Jr. released a video of Coach Prime and Hunter discussing the award snub. Throughout the video, Sanders Sr. can be heard stating, “I’m going to fight for him, believe that.”
Later, Coach Prime can be heard questioning how someone can be awarded the top defensive player in the country but not the best player at their individual defensive position.
“How in the world can you be up for the Defensive Player of the Year, but you didn’t get a Thorpe…How does that make sense?” Sanders questioned.
Coach Prime on Travis Hunter not being a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award :
“I’m going to fight for him, Believe that”
“How can you be up for the Defensive Player of the Year but you didn’t get a Thorpe…How does that make sense”
🎥 : @DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/kkYBR066tq
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) November 27, 2024
How Do Hunter’s Stats Compare to the Other Finalists?
Though each finalist is talented and deserving of some form of distinction, the numerical stats seem to further defend the stance that Hunter should have been one of the nominees.
This season, in addition to his 1,000+ yard, double-digit touchdown campaign offensively, Hunter has three interceptions and one forced fumble to his name. Meanwhile, Texas Longhorns Jahdae Barron has recorded four interceptions, the Georgia Bulldogs’ Malaki Starks has one pick, and the Ohio State Buckeyes’ Caleb Downs has no forced turnovers on the season.
All three individuals are having standout campaigns, but the numbers clearly back up Hunter’s finalist bid. Combine those stats with the fact that opposing quarterbacks have placed an emphasis on avoiding Hunter this season (in some cases, completely steering clear of him), and the values are even more impressive.
As a result, it’s clear that Prime Time believes that Hunter is deserving of the award he once won and will fight for his star player and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.