Deion Sanders did not hold back when addressing the Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee for their decision to overlook Travis Hunter. The omission of Hunter from the list of finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in college football, left Sanders furious. He made his feelings crystal clear during a press conference on Tuesday.
Hunter, a standout for the Colorado Buffaloes, was notably absent from the list of finalists, which included Malaki Starks of Georgia, Jahdae Barron of Texas, and Caleb Downs of Ohio State.
This exclusion left many puzzled, and Sanders, who won the prestigious award himself in 1988, wasn’t about to stay silent.
“Before I open up for questions, I’m going to address something that just transpired – that Travis [Hunter] 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.” Sanders didn’t hold back his emotions, calling the decision “the most idiotic thing in college football” and asserting that the committee had “messed up all the integrity of the award.”
Sanders has every reason to be upset, given Hunter’s impressive performance throughout the season. Through 11 games, Hunter has tallied 31 combined tackles, 9 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.
However, Sanders emphasized that these statistics don’t fully capture Hunter’s contributions on the field. “He rarely gets thrown at,” Sanders noted, highlighting the respect opposing quarterbacks have for Hunter’s skills, which often keeps him out of direct action but speaks volumes about his impact as a lockdown corner.
In an emotional moment, Sanders offered to give Hunter his own Jim Thorpe Award trophy, demonstrating just how highly he values the young player. He didn’t mince words in his praise, insisting that Hunter is unequivocally the best defensive back in the nation.
For Sanders, the committee’s failure to recognize Hunter is not only an oversight but an outright injustice to a player who has redefined the position with his two-way versatility and game-changing presence.
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Hunter has been one of college football’s most talked-about athletes this season, not only for his lockdown coverage skills but also for his contributions on offense.
His ability to make a significant impact on both sides of the ball is rare and has led many to consider him among the most dynamic players in the country. Despite not being a finalist for the Thorpe Award, Hunter’s recent viral celebrations and standout performances suggest that he has his sights set on even bigger accolades in the future.
Sanders’ public defense of Hunter is a testament to his belief in his players and his frustration with what he sees as a flawed selection process.
It’s clear that in Sanders’ eyes, the Jim Thorpe Award’s reputation has taken a serious hit with this decision – but for Hunter, the snub might just add more fuel to his already blazing fire.
