Colorado University Athletics
Travis Hunter Wins Chuck Bednarik Award As Nation’s Top Defensive Player
December 12, 2024 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Colorado's Travis Hunter added another trophy to his collection Thursday as he was named the 2024 recipient of the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation's best defensive player, the Maxwell Football Club announced during the 34th Annual College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
For Hunter, it's his second major award of the day and fourth of the week. He was presented with the Lott IMPACT Trophy, also for the defensive player of the year, on Monday in Las Vegas and on Tuesday he repeated as the Paul Hornung Award winner, given to the nation's most versatile player. Earlier Thursday, he was named the Associated Press Player of the Year.
Hunter becomes just the fifth player to win both the Lott and Bednarik Awards in the same season and he is the first CU player to win the Bednarik Award.
One of the top shut-down cornerbacks in the nation, Hunter earned a cover grade of 91.1 on Pro Football Focus, the top mark in the FBS. In 378 cover snaps, he was in press coverage 185 snaps and targeted just 38 times, or 10.1 percent of the time, the fourth lowest mark in the FBS. He allowed just 22 catches for 205 yards and one touchdown, giving up an FBS-low six first downs. He had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
His run defense grade was the fifth best in the Power 4 conferences for corners with at least 300 snaps, which included a walk-off forced fumble in overtime against Baylor.
On defense he played 688 total snaps, including 658-of-708 (92.9%), taking out the two games he was injured. On offense, he was on the field for 672 snaps, including 610-of-649 (94.0%), taking out the two games. On offense, he caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and a CU record 14 touchdowns, picking up 53 first downs.
Hunter is just the seventh player to be honored by the Bednarik on any watch list or beyond and was CU's first finalist and just its second semifinalist along with Jordon Dizon in 2007.
Hunter is headed to New York as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, with its ceremony set to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. He is also a finalist for the Maxwell, Biletnikoff, and Walter Camp Awards, which will also be announced on Thursday's show.
For Hunter, it's his second major award of the day and fourth of the week. He was presented with the Lott IMPACT Trophy, also for the defensive player of the year, on Monday in Las Vegas and on Tuesday he repeated as the Paul Hornung Award winner, given to the nation's most versatile player. Earlier Thursday, he was named the Associated Press Player of the Year.
Hunter becomes just the fifth player to win both the Lott and Bednarik Awards in the same season and he is the first CU player to win the Bednarik Award.
One of the top shut-down cornerbacks in the nation, Hunter earned a cover grade of 91.1 on Pro Football Focus, the top mark in the FBS. In 378 cover snaps, he was in press coverage 185 snaps and targeted just 38 times, or 10.1 percent of the time, the fourth lowest mark in the FBS. He allowed just 22 catches for 205 yards and one touchdown, giving up an FBS-low six first downs. He had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
His run defense grade was the fifth best in the Power 4 conferences for corners with at least 300 snaps, which included a walk-off forced fumble in overtime against Baylor.
On defense he played 688 total snaps, including 658-of-708 (92.9%), taking out the two games he was injured. On offense, he was on the field for 672 snaps, including 610-of-649 (94.0%), taking out the two games. On offense, he caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and a CU record 14 touchdowns, picking up 53 first downs.
Hunter is just the seventh player to be honored by the Bednarik on any watch list or beyond and was CU's first finalist and just its second semifinalist along with Jordon Dizon in 2007.
Hunter is headed to New York as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, with its ceremony set to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. He is also a finalist for the Maxwell, Biletnikoff, and Walter Camp Awards, which will also be announced on Thursday's show.
Players Mentioned
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