Is Colorado’s Heisman hopeful talking trash about Boise State’s Jeanty? See what he said
Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty may have emerged as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but Colorado’s two-way star, Travis Hunter, isn’t too impressed.
Hunter, who plays both cornerback and wide receiver for the Buffaloes, recently appeared on the “Outta Pocket with RGIII” podcast hosted by 2011 Heisman winner Robert Griffin III.
Hunter is currently third in the Heisman odds behind Jeanty and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The junior seems to take after his loquacious, sometimes combative coach, Deion Sanders — because he not only talked up his own credentials on the podcast, but took the opportunity to take some shots at Jeanty.
“Y’all see Ashton Jeanty, but it’s not like we haven’t seen a running back that’s good,” Hunter said. “We haven’t seen a player that plays both ways, and I’m gonna keep saying that.”
Haven’t we seen a player who plays both ways win the Heisman Trophy?
We have. Former Michigan Wolverine Charles Woodson won the Heisman in 1997, playing as a safety and wide receiver who also was a dangerous kick returner.
Meanwhile, Jeanty is chasing history as he looks to overtake Barry Sanders’ records from his 1988 Heisman-winning season at Oklahoma State. The NFL Hall of Famer rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final college year.
Through six games, Jeanty has 1,248 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns — putting him on pace for a regular season of 2,496 yards and 36 touchdowns. Those statistics include the fact that he sat for two halves to rest in blowouts, effectively missing an entire game.
Jeanty has more rushing yards through six games than Sanders did (1,156).
Hunter also had something to say about how often Jeanty gets the ball.
“He has, I think, 95 carries for 1,000 yards,” Hunter said, referencing Jeanty’s 95 carries before the 31 he had against Hawaii last weekend.
“If I had 95 catches, how many yards do you think I’d have?” Hunter continued.
Hunter has 587 yards receiving, which is 10th in the nation, despite having a college football-leading 49 receptions. If you keep that average, with 126 receptions, he’d have 1,509 yards.
Of course, receivers don’t get that amount of catches. And the comparison is not good, considering running backs start behind the line of scrimmage and wide receivers more often than not catch the ball downfield.
Part of what makes Jeanty unique is his ability to break tackles and get yards after contact. Jeanty has a nation-leading 914 yards after contact — that number alone would rank him second in the nation in rushing yards.
Meanwhile, Hunter has just 170 yards after the catch.
Hunter also has his defensive statistics: 17 total tackles and two interceptions. He’s had some impressive moments on defense, including forcing a game-winning fumble against Baylor.
But in reality, those defensive numbers are pretty paltry. Colorado safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (46) and cornerback D.J. McKinney (41) have way more tackles. So do Boise State sophomore safety Ty Benefield (35) and junior safety Zion Washington (34).
Hunter’s two interceptions tie for 30th in the nation with 80 other players.
Hunter clearly is in the Heisman conversation as an electric two-way player, but he’s not in the conversation as being the best player at either of his positions. Jeanty certainly is.
Hunter will have a chance to help his Heisman odds this weekend as Colorado travels to Arizona, while Boise State has a bye. Hunter missed the second half of Colorado’s 31-28 loss to Kansas State last weekend with a shoulder injury but is expected to return.
