Colorado football coach Deion Sanders expressed strong disapproval over the omission of standout player Travis Hunter from the list of finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday. He referred to the snub as “idiotic,” arguing that it undermines the award’s integrity.
The Jim Thorpe Award, honoring the top defensive back in college football, released its finalists on Tuesday, which included Jahdae Barron of Texas, Caleb Downs of Ohio State, and Malaki Starks of Georgia. Interestingly, Hunter, who plays both cornerback and receiver and is considered a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy, was not among them.
Sanders, who himself won the Thorpe Award in 1988, voiced his frustration during his weekly press conference in Boulder, insisting that Hunter’s exclusion from the finalists was unfathomable. “Travis can have my Thorpe Award because I ain’t using it,” he stated emphatically. He believes it is evident that Hunter is among the best defensive backs in college football, if not the best.
In response to Sanders, Mike James, the executive director of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, which oversees the award, acknowledged Sanders’ sentiments, clarifying that selecting finalists is a challenging task fraught with difficulties. He commended coaches for advocating for their players while defending the thorough selection process employed by the committee.
Hunter has had an impressive season, with 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns, alongside his defensive stats of three interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 30 tackles. Sanders highlighted that much of Hunter’s defensive prowess is not captured in statistics, noting that opposing offenses tend to avoid throwing in his direction.
The Buffaloes, currently standing at 8-3, will conclude their regular season with a home game against Oklahoma State (3-8) this Friday. They still harbor a slim chance of making it to the Big 12 Championship on December 7, depending on the outcomes of certain games.
As the college football season winds down, the Thorpe Award winner will be announced on December 12, with Heisman finalists set to be revealed on December 9 and the Heisman winner on December 14.
This moment serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of college football, where talented athletes like Travis Hunter continue to shine despite the challenges posed by award selections. Hunter’s abilities and achievements on the field are certainly worthy of recognition, and his journey is far from over as he aims for greater heights in his career.