Deion Sanders doesnt want his Jim Thorpe Award anymore.
The Colorado head coach, livid that Travis Hunter was not named a finalist for the award thats given to the best defensive back in the country each season, is going to give it to Hunter instead.
Texas cornerback Jahde Barron, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Georgia safety Malaki Starks were named the three finalists for the award on Tuesday. The winner will be announced on Dec. 12.
Hunter, who plays on both sides of the ball and is also a wide receiver, has 31 total tackles and three interceptions this season. By comparison, Barron has 41 total tackles and four interceptions with the Longhorns. Downs has 50 total tackles at Ohio State, and Starks has 55 tackles and one interception with the Bulldogs.
Hunter was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the top wide receiver in the country. Arizonas Tetairoa McMillan and San Jose States Nick Nash were the other two finalists. Hunter has 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns on 82 catches so far this season.
Sanders, who is in his second season leading the Buffaloes, won the award at Florida State in 1988.
Colorado holds an 8-3 record heading into Fridays regular season finale against Oklahoma State. The Buffaloes fell to Kansas last week, which likely ended the chance for them to make the Big 12 title game. They would need a win and at least two other losses elsewhere in the conference this week to make it in.
Both Hunter and quarterback Shadeur Sanders are widely expected to be top picks in the NFL Draft next spring, too. While Colorado isnt likely to make the College Football Playoff, Sanders insisted that both stars will be participating in whatever bowl game they make it to. It will mark the programs first Bowl game since 2020. The Buffaloes havent won a bowl game since 2004.