Joel Klatt believes there is an obvious frontrunner to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024.
On Wednesday, Klatt declared Colorado’s Travis Hunter his top choice for the award. Hunter is one of the nation’s most exciting players due to his ability to contribute on offense and defense. Klatt believes it’s that dual-threat ability that separates Hunter from the pack.
“Number one in my Heisman list, there’s no question about that because of the unique nature in which he plays,” declared Klatt. “My number one contender right now is Travis Hunter from Colorado.
“Right now we have this unicorn.” No. 1 on @joelklatt‘s Heisman list?
The unicorn for @CUBuffsFootball, Travis Hunter. pic.twitter.com/m5Isc83LIH
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) October 9, 2024
Hunter leads the Buffaloes in receptions (46), receiving yards (561), receiving touchdowns (6), and is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2). Not only does Hunter lead his team in receiving yards, but he’s seventh in the nation in the category.
“Travis Hunter is doing things that we’ve never seen in the history of the sport,” said Klatt. “And it’s because of the unique nature of what he’s doing that he’s number one.”
The Heisman has traditionally been a quarterback award, but no quarterback has produced runaway hype through Week 6. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel opened the season as the betting favorite, then Miami’s Cam Ward quickly supplanted him.
With no consensus at the top, that opens the door for a player like Hunter. Klatt also shouted out Jeanty as the best “traditional” candidate to win the award.
“But right now, we have this unicorn,” said Klatt. “We have this incredible athlete that is the best player on both sides of the ball, which is a staggering thought.”
DraftKings currently gives Hunter the second-shortest odds to win the award, behind only Jeanty.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
