The Colorado Buffaloes were easily the biggest story in all of college football last season.
Headlined by then first-year head coach Deion Sanders, the Buffs shocked the college football world on national television in their Week 1 opener at TCU, winning 45-42. His son and quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, torched the defense that had just played in the title game the season prior, and college football fans all over got a taste of just how elite Travis Hunter was on both sides of the football.
Colorado got off to a stunning 3-0 start to the year but ended up finishing 4-8. It also didn't help that in their two early losses after their hot start, Hunter was sidelined with a lacerated kidney. The injury occurred in their Week 3 victory over Colorado State following a late hit from Rams safety Henry Blackburn, forcing Hunter to miss their games against Oregon, USC, and Arizona State in which they went 1-2.
He returned for their game against Stanford but struggled on the defensive side of the ball that game as the Cardinal came back from down 29-0 to win in double overtime. Hunter still went on to win the Paul Hornung Award for being the most versatile player in college football, and Colorado knows heading into 2024, which is likely his last year, that they need to maximize him.
How can one ensure that Hunter doesn't suffer any wear and tear? Well, for starters, don't take unnecessary hits. Something that Coach Prime assured wouldn't happen when speaking to the team at a recent practice. The second-year coach emphasized protecting the quarterback, receivers, and Hunter.
"We in pads we having contact. Take care of your guys," Sanders told the team. "Like I'm gonna tell you do not touch the receivers. Don't get near the quarterback and leave Travis alone.
"I'm not playing favorites I'm just being 100. It is what it is. When you get to the next level every quarterback is worth 250 million right? You think they gonna let you touch him? Alright so let's play like we on the next level."
Sanders will need all hands on deck for the Buffs in 2024, as they have one of the toughest schedules in the country. They open their season on August 29 against North Dakota State.
Hunter will look to build off a 2023 season that saw him grab 57 passes for 721 yards and five scores on offense while recording 31 total tackles and three picks.
Related: New Colorado Coach Makes Odd Admission About Son Of Deion Sanders
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