When it comes to Heisman Trophy conversations, Travis Hunter’s name is quickly rising to the top, and Rich Eisen is among the loudest voices championing his case. As the Colorado Buffaloes continue their standout season, Eisen’s passionate endorsement highlights why Hunter deserves college football’s highest individual honor — and why he might face an uphill battle to claim it.
Eisen’s enthusiasm for Hunter stems from his exceptional versatility on the field. He pointed out that Hunter isn’t just a two-way player — he’s excelling on both offense and defense. “He’s playing almost every snap of the football game, and he is the best receiver on the field. And then he plays defense lights out,” Eisen said. Hunter’s ability to impact games on both sides of the ball is reminiscent of an old-school approach that’s rarely seen in today’s game, making him a unicorn in the modern era of specialized positions.
Despite Hunter’s stellar performances, Eisen isn’t convinced the path to the Heisman will be easy. He suggested that a bias against Deion Sanders, Colorado’s head coach, might influence the voters. “If Travis Hunter doesn’t win the Heisman Trophy, I will be stunned… It’ll be anti-Deion bias,” Eisen declared. This claim suggests that while Hunter’s on-field exploits speak volumes, external factors could still sway the Heisman race, turning it into more of a narrative contest than a pure talent evaluation.