Colorado Buffaloes two-way phenom Travis Hunter has won both the 2024 Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff awards, honoring the nation's top defensive player and wide receiver of the year. Each of these honors is the first in CU program history.
Among all players, Hunter took home one more award for his rapidly growing trophy case. The junior was named the Walter Camp national player of the year.
Hunter is also one of four Heisman Trophy finalists, joining Boise State running back Ashton Jeeanty and two quarterbacks in Miami’s Cam Ward and Oregon Ducks’ Dillon Gabriel. He’ll be in New York City for the award ceremony Saturday night.
During the regular season, Hunter logged 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns (a program record). He had seven 100-yard receiving games this season. Hunter also had five games where he scored 2+ touchdowns.
The Fred Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in college football. The award dates back to 1994 with notable winners such as Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Amari Cooper, Ja’Marr Chase, and most recently Marvin Harrison Jr.
Offensive prowess was only half of what made Hunter so special, however. At cornerback, he snagged four interceptions, broke up 11 passes, forced one fumble and allowed just 22 receptions and one touchdown on 39 targets by opposing quarterbacks. Doing so led to his Bednarik Award victory.
With this myriad of honors, Hunter adds to his extraordinary junior season at Colorado by becoming the first player in college football history to win national awards for offense and defense.
Hunter has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and will play in his final game for the Buffaloes when No. 23 Colorado takes on No. 17 BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec 28.
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