When Deion Sanders took over the Colorado Buffaloes last season, he came with an expected promise that his players would command the field and the game. After a struggling first year, Sanders’ athletes have found their rhythm, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver Travis Hunter. On Saturday, the duo took control and saw their team come away with a 49-24 statement victory on Folsom Field over the Utah Utes.
Travis Hunter’s Message to Shedeur Sanders
The aftermath of the electric game had the crowd roaring their names. Shedeur Sanders outlasted a late push from the Utes and threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns. The two-way player Hunter had five catches for 55 yards, a five-yard rushing touchdown, and an interception.
The rushing score was Hunter’s first of his career, as he danced on the field dodging defenders, slipping through a gap, and flying to the end zone with less than three minutes to go.
As the season winds down, it’s clear that the final two regular-season games (and a possible playoff ticket) could be Sanders and Hunter’s final stretch together. This might be why the friendship and memories they’ve built at Colorado might even be more important, as Hunter captioned his Instagram post on Sunday:
“God gave me a Brother🤞”
Travis Hunter’s new Instagram post, showing love to Shedeur Sanders.
“God gave me a Brother”🙏 pic.twitter.com/vi0FS0nVDe
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) November 17, 2024
Sanders has a 72.4% completion rate this season, to go along with 27 touchdowns. He is ranked second amongst quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class, behind only Miami’s Cam Ward.
Sanders’ quick and accurate throws in Colorado’s spread offense have only helped his case. Earlier, he was being criticized for sacks and his arm strength, but after strong games against Utah, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati, analysts like Dane Brugler have changed their views:
“First six weeks of the season, I stand by [my analysis of Sanders]. That changed the last three weeks with updated evidence. Saying Shedeur has a B-level arm isn’t dirt.”
First six weeks of the season, I stand by it. That changed the last three weeks with updated evidence. Saying Shedeur has a B-level arm isn't dirt.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 16, 2024
Meanwhile, Hunter is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranking him as the No. 1 pick.
Hunter has been a paragon as both a wide receiver and cornerback. His stats, 84.7 receiving grade and 88.2 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, are not the leading numbers, but him excelling in both positions and his workload is not something the lead scorers are doing.
Meanwhile, the healthy rivalry between the two can be attributed to the fact that Sanders, a Heisman Trophy contender himself, was pushing Hunter’s Heisman campaign instead of his own. When asked why Hunter deserves the award post-game on Saturday, the QB said:
“He’s the best player in the country, hands down, no doubt. There’s not a lot of guys that could do what he do on offense and defense, so it’s really tough to compare him to anybody else.”
"He's the best player in the country hands down."
Shedeur Sanders tells @JennyTaft why he thinks Travis Hunters should win the Heisman ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iRguJlulh7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
Hunter has become a Heisman favorite after his incredible performance in Week 12, and with Sanders also proving his mettle, the race is just becoming more electrifying.