Deion Sanders was livid with the decision to leave off Colorado star Travis Hunter from the list of finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award.
The award typically is presented to the best defensive back in college football and while Hunter was part of the 15 semifinalists, the two-way star was cut from the final three. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Georgia’s Malaki Starks and Texas’ Jahdae Barron were the finalists for the award.
Upon seeing the finalists, Sanders told reporters how it was unfair for Hunter to be snubbed from the finalists, considering his defensive acumen. While doing so, Sanders proclaimed he would give his Thorpe award to Hunter as a way to make up for the decision to omit from the finalists.
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“Something that just transpired and they brought to my attention today that Travis is a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Player of the Year … Linden Cup Best Receiver, regardless of position, and was snubbed by the Thorpe,” Sanders said.
“How? How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Jim Thorpe Award? You can have my award, you can have it back. Matter of fact, I’m going to give him mine.
“I ain’t using it. It’s just sitting up there collecting dust. So Travis could have my Thorpe Award because if this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football, that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
“And he is, I would say arguably, but I don’t think it’s really an argument about this young man being the best defensive back in college football. I ain’t saying nothing about the receiver part of it. I’m just talking about defensive back.”
Travis Hunter is one of the best defensive players in college football, despite splitting time as a wide receiver (
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Sanders’ claims hold merit, especially when Hunter is compared to the award’s finalists. Currently, Hunter’s three interceptions are more than Downs and Starks and his nine pass deflections are more than Downs, Starks and Barron. Hunter is also seen more favorably than the three by PFF, having better grades than all three in certain aspects like coverage grade and overall defensive grade.
“He rarely gets thrown at,” the Buffaloes head coach continued. “He’s won a game for tackling for us and he’s always on point. So if you bring up the statistics, I don’t know how in the world is Travis Hunter not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.”
Sanders concluded that the decision to omit Hunter from the being one of the finalists for the award has soured his view on the validity of the accolade. With his frustration palpable, Sanders concluded by stating he would serously consider giving hid award to his transcendent star.
“They just pretty much messed up all the integrity of the award and he could have mine,” Sanders added. “Whoever’s voting down there, who’s ever bringing it home, thank you because I don’t even want mine now.”
Despite not being considered for the Thorpe award, many feel Hunter is worthy of the Heisman Trophy, with his star teammate Shedeur Sanders admitting he would like the two-way star to win the most prestigious award in college football.
“If it’s between me and him, I would want him to get it,” Shedeur Sanders said. “He does a lot of amazing things and things that haven’t been done before. I’m not a selfish guy. I know what he’s capable of, so I would rather him win.”
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