Pat Surtain II and the Denver Broncos play against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13. Denver came into Monday night with a record of 7-5 and playoff aspirations, whereas the Browns are full of confidence after a big 24-19 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.
Surtain, who played for Alabama in college and is arguably the best cornerback in the league, has made his opinion clear for the Heisman Trophy; he showed it through his attire before the game against the Browns.
Pat Surtain II Picked His Candidate for the Heisman Trophy
The Broncos superstar is rooting for a player who plays at his position and, like him, is playing for a Colorado-based team. Surtain was spotted wearing a Travis Hunter “HE12MAN” T-shirt on the field before the Monday Night Football game.
Although there have been various debates about Ashton Jeanty being a more deserving candidate for the Heisman Trophy, Hunter is currently the runaway favorite.
Pat Surtain rocking a Travis Hunter HE12MAN shirt at home in Colorado 🦬
(via @Romi_Bean)pic.twitter.com/2oFMontWz8
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 3, 2024
The Colorado star is a generational talent who not only plays on both sides of the ball but is a game-changer at both positions. As a wide receiver, he has 92 receptions for 1,152 yards, and 14 touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per reception. At the cornerback position, he has recorded 21 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, 11 passes defensed, and four interceptions.
Jeanty also has had a historic season for Boise State, but Hunter’s ability to be an elite two-way player has put him in discussions with one of the greatest talents who have ever played college football.
Earlier this year, Surtain signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension and is the second highest-paid cornerback in the league, only behind Jalen Ramsey ($24.1 million AAV). Hunter is expected to play both positions in the league, and if he excels at it, the 21-year-old could easily become the highest-paid cornerback in the league given his two-way value.
Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Stock Has Skyrocketed
Hunter and Shedeur Sanders have had a great final year at Colorado and drastically improved their draft stock. They could be the first two players to hear their names in the 2025 NFL Draft, which shows how much work Deion Sanders has done with them.
If a team like the Jacksonville Jaguars ends up with the first overall pick, then Hunter could be the first player to get drafted. However, quarterback-needy teams could also try to move up in the draft to get Sanders or another QB, and it will be interesting to see where they both will end up.
The Las Vegas Raiders have emerged as a potential landing spot for Sanders, and they are a team that his father may have no problems with, as the potential for an Eli Manning-esque move looms. As for Hunter, it remains to be seen whether or not the Colorado head coach would welcome the idea of him getting drafted by teams like the Jaguars or the Cleveland Browns, who haven’t had stability in their organization.
Jeanty is expected to finish as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, and he is projected to get drafted in the first round as well. The star running back has expressed his desire to play for the Dallas Cowboys, and based on the NFC East team’s needs, he would fit perfectly.
