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University of Colorado’s Travis Hunter was crowned the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday after an impressive season with the Buffaloes.

Hunter excelled as a wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffs. His offensive contributions included leading the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 touchdowns and finishing third with 1,152 receiving yards.

He was also dynamic on defense – a rarity in today’s game – and showcased his versatility with four interceptions, 31 total tackles, 15 passes defended and a crucial, game-winning forced fumble in an overtime win against Baylor.

According to ESPN, he played 1,356 snaps on offense and defense in 12 games this season – 379 more than any other player in the FBS.

Hunter bested fellow finalists, including Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s Cam Ward, to claim college football’s most prestigious trophy. He is the second player in Colorado history to receive the coveted award and the first since Rashaan Salaam in 1994.

An emotional Hunter hugged his Colorado head coach and former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders, among others, as he took the stage at the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York.

Hunter thanked several family members and coaches in his acceptance speech, but was overcome with emotion as he thanked his father.

“He’s not here to make it, but I know you see it on TV. Dad, I love you. All that you’ve been through, man, look at your oldest son now, I did this for you,” Hunter said.

“All the times you didn’t see me and the times you came to watch my games, from probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to Seeing me, it means a lot to me.

“I know you wanted to be here and you can’t, but trust me, I’ve got you. I’m bringing the trophy home, I love you,” he said.

Hunter’s hunt for the Heisman Trophy was hotly contested all season as he competed with Jeanty for the sport’s top prize. The Boise State running back regularly made headlines for his exceptional performances as he amassed 2,497 yards on the ground, which ranked as the fourth-highest single-season total in the FBS. At 192.1 yards per game, Jeanty outgained the next closest competitor by 58 yards.

Hunter received 552 first-place votes and 2,231 total points, while Jeanty came in second with 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points. The winning margin was the narrowest since 2009, when Mark Ingram beat Toby Gerhart for the award.

In what was likely his final home game in Boulder, the 21-year-old junior put on a show that solidified his Heisman candidacy, throwing three touchdowns and an interception in a standout performance against Oklahoma State.

“I think Travis won the Heisman with his performance.” Sanders, known as “Coach Prime,” said after the Nov. 29 game.

“You’ve never seen this before. He is the best player in college football. You could find ways to hate him, criticize him, judge him, and you won’t look professional because now you’re just looking for something. “Travis Hunter has proven today and every week that he is the best player in college football,” Sanders said last month.

After becoming the first player to be named a finalist for both the Biletnikoff Award, given to the best college receiver regardless of position, and the Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in the country, Hunter won on Thursday both and was named the Walter Camp Player of the Year.

After graduating from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, Hunter made headlines after the top-rated prospect rejected his verbal commitment to play at Florida State and decided to sign with HBCU Jackson State to play under Sanders and his son Shedeur to play. In his first season, Hunter finished eight games with four receiving touchdowns, 20 total tackles and two interceptions.

Hunter followed Sanders to Colorado, where the dynamic playmaker established himself as one of the best college football players in the country. After his first season with the Buffs, Hunter was one of three players featured on the cover of EA Sports’ “College Football 25.”

The two-way star has announced he will play in the No. 23 Buffaloes’ final game of the season against the No. 17 BYU Cougars in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Hunter is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

This story has been updated with additional information.