LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Colorado junior cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is this year's Paul Hornung Award recipient, an award given annually to the most versatile player in college football. 

Named after the late Louisville native and four-time NFL champion, the Louisville Sports Commission launched the award in 2010 to promote outstanding performances by versatile college football players who often go unnoticed. Hunter also earned the award in 2023, making him the first-ever repeat winner.

"I'd like to thank all of my teammates and believe the awards I'm winning are team awards, especially the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player," Hunter said. "I couldn't do it without each of my teammates. I want to thank the Louisville Sports Commission and the Paul Hornung Award voters for blessing me with this award twice. I'd also like to thank Coach Prime for allowing me to do what I do and all the coaches and staff surrounding the CU football team. This is for all of us."

Hunter played what amounts to two full seasons of all-star football in 2024, one on each side of the ball. He led the nation with 21 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, led the Big 12 and was second nationally in touchdown receptions and was second in the Big 12 in receiving yards per game. Defensively, Hunter led the Big 12 and was eighth nationally in passes defended.

He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 receiver and defensive back, becoming the first player in conference history to earn first-team honors on offense and defense.

"Travis is HIM; a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime player," Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders said. "Thank you to the selection committee because they saw how special he was last year. This year, he took it to another level, and the rest of the nation is taking notice, but the Hornung Award and its selectors will be remembered for recognizing it before others. God bless you all."

The Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee consists of 17 sports journalists and football experts from across the country. Hunter was one of three finalists for the award, beating out Louisville running back Isaac Brown and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.

Notable previous winners include Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (2013, LSU); San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (2015, Stanford); Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (2017, Penn State) and Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (2020, Alabama).