Rece Davis Names The Best Player In College Football This Season

After finishing 4-8 (1-7 Pac-12) in the first season under head coach Deion Sanders, Colorado faces massive preseason expectations in 2024. The Buffaloes started the season 3-0 but lost eight of their final nine games last season.

Colorado has failed to qualify for a bowl game in three consecutive seasons. The Buffaloes are also searching for their first postseason win since 2004 when Colorado defeated UTEP in the Houston Bowl.

On the latest episode of the " College Gameday Podcast ," ESPN's Rece Davis discussed Colorado's expectations for the upcoming season. While discussing the Buffaloes' most significant question marks, Davis revealed his pick for the best player in college football.

"I think they have the best player in college football in Travis Hunter," Davis said. "You might wibble, and I probably would, that Will Johnson may be above Travis Hunter as a pure corner. Maybe you find a receiver that, as a pure receiver, you like better, but as a complete football player... Travis Hunter is the best player in the country."

Hunter won the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player. He also earned consensus All-American honors, becoming only the second player in program history to be a consensus All-American.

Hunter recorded 57 receptions for 721 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in only nine games. On the defensive side of the ball, Hunter posted 30 total tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and five pass breakups.

He started his career at Jackson State in 2022, seeing action in eight games. Hunter was named the SWAC Freshman of the Year and earned second-team All-SWAC honors. He was also named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman at the FCS level.

Colorado will open the 2024 season against North Dakota State on Aug. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Related: Rece Davis Identifies The Biggest Unknowns For Colorado In 2024