CU star Travis Hunter named Heisman finalist

• Winning could cement him as Colorado's greatest player ever.

The big picture: Hunter, who plays both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, helped lead Colorado to a 9-3 record this season for the school's best overall mark since finishing 10-4 in 2016.

• He's the first CU player named a Heisman finalist since the late Rashaan Salaam, who won it in 1994.
• Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward were also named finalists for the award.

By the numbers: A psychology major, Hunter caught 92 passes for 1,152 receiving yards en route to breaking the school's single-season record for touchdown catches with 14.

• He added four interceptions and 11 pass break-ups on the defensive side.

Between the lines: The playmaker from Georgia is also a finalist for the Walter Camp, Maxwell, Bednarik, Lott IMPACT, Hornung and Biletnikoff awards this season.

The intrigue: If Hunter wins, he'd become the first CU player to receive the award since Salaam who won after rushing for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns his junior season to help the Buffs finish 11-1.

What's next: The 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony airs on ESPN at 6pm Saturday.

• Colorado takes on BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Antonio. Kickoff is at 5:30pm.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show there are four finalists for the Heisman Trophy (not three).