The 2024 All-Big 12 football awards were announced on Thursday morning, with the Colorado Buffaloes claiming Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) and Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
Additionally, those three players accounted for four positions on the All-Big 12 first team. The Buffs also had one player on the second team and seven honorable mentions.
The Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards went to quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, respectively. Defensive end BJ Green II was named Newcomer of the Year. Hunter earned All-Big 12 first team honors as both wide receiver and defensive back, while Sanders and Green also secured spots on the All-Big 12 first team.
Sanders capped off his college career with an outstanding senior season, throwing for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also broke school records for passing touchdowns and passing yards while leading the Big 12 in passing yards, completion percentage and touchdowns. Additionally, he earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, recognizing the best senior quarterback.
Hunter claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors by recording four interceptions, a forced fumble and 11 pass deflections. On offense, he contributed 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. His 14 touchdowns were good for first in the Big 12. Notably, he achieved the rare feat of recording both an interception and a touchdown in four separate games this season. The Heisman hopeful is CU’s first Conference Defensive Player of the Year since Jordan Dizon in 2007.
Green, for defensive newcomer of the year, led the Buffs in sacks with 7.5 (tied for second in the Big 12) along with two forced fumbles and 30 tackles on the year. He contributed to the Buffs pass rush finishing the regular season with a Big-12 best 37 sacks.
The Buffs’ second team player was senior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green.
The Buffs' award honorable mentions for awards included Travis Hunter for OPOY, defensive end Taje McCoy for Defensive Freshman of the Year, nose tackle Chidozie Nwankwo for Defensive Lineman of the Year, tackle Jordan Seaton for Offensive Freshman of the Year and slot receiver LaJohntay Wester for Offensive Newcomer of the Year. The All-Big 12 honorable mentions featured defensive back Preston Hodge, kicker Alejandro Mata, punter Mark Vassett, and defensive backs DJ McKinney and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig. Additionally, Nwankwo, Seaton and Wester earned All Big-12 honorable mentions.
Colorado went 9-3 this season, and 7-2 in conference play, qualifying for a bowl game. The Buffs are waiting to see which bowl game they make and who they will play.
Cover photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports
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