Colorado football’s Travis Hunter is on the cusp of making Heisman Trophy history.
The Buffaloes star two-way player, who has put together one of the more impressive recent seasons in college football, is one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which is scheduled to be announced Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
If Hunter hears his name called Saturday, he would become first defensive player and two-way player to win college football’s most prestigious award since Michigan football’s Charles Woodson in 1997.
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Hunter’s season is far more than just impressive, considering he rarely stepped off the field for coach Deion Sanders this year. Noted by the Paul Hornung Award, Hunter played an average of at least 55 snaps each on defense and offense per game.
Hunter unofficially “locked up” the Heisman Trophy in Colorado’s regular-season finale vs. Oklahoma State. On offense, Hunter finished with 10 catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns while adding two pass deflections, one tackle and an interception on defense.
He is projected to go No. 1 overall in USA TODAY editor Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s latest NFL mock draft. Should Hunter win the Heisman Saturday, he’d cap off his career going from the No. 1 recruit in 2022 to playing for HBCU Jackson State to being named the top player in college football at the FBS and Power 4 level.
Here’s what you need to know on the history of defensive players who have won the Heisman Trophy, including the last time a defensive player won the award and more:
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Who was the last defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy
Woodson was the last defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997.
The Wolverines star defensive back finished ahead of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf and Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss. Woodson finished with 1,815 votes compared with Manning’s 1,543 votes, Leaf’s 861 and Moss’s 253.
By winning the Heisman Trophy, Woodson became the third Wolverines player to do so, joining Desmond Howard and Tom Harmon.
Helping Michigan to its first national championship title since 1941, Woodson dominated on both ends of the ball. As noted by his Michigan profile page, Woodson finished with 12 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns on offense, adding five carries for 21 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. One defense, Woodson recorded eight interceptions and 44 total tackles (five for a loss of 23 yards) with nine broken up passes and one sack.
Woodson also saw time as Michigan’s punt returner in 1997, finishing with 301 yards and a touchdown on 36 returns. That lone touchdown came in “The Game” against Ohio State, when he returned a 78-yard punt for a score going into halftime.
Heisman Trophy defensive player winners
Here’s a full list of defensive players to have won the Heisman Trophy:
When is the Heisman Trophy ceremony today?
The 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Heisman Trophy 2024 finalist
Hunter joins Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the four finalists for the 2024 Heisman Trophy award.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Heisman defensive player winners: Colorado’s Travis Hunter aims to be next
