Colorado head coach Deion Sanders weighed in on this year’s Heisman Trophy race after the Buffaloes beat Cincinnati 34-23 on Saturday.

Sanders said he doesn’t care if quarterback Shedeur Sanders is considered a serious candidate, but “it’s very weird” and he’s not really involved in that conversation.

“This is hilarious to me,” Coach Prime said. he told reporters. “I think it’s just ignorance, but it’s funny to us because Shedeur doesn’t care. Shedeur wants to get drafted in a great city. He wants to win. That’s what he’s thinking about. He’s not thinking about the damn Heisman, man.”

Sanders was much more forthcoming when it came to two-way star Travis Hunter, whose Heisman bid lost momentum due to a shoulder injury in Colorado’s previous two games.

“Now Travis is the best college football player in the country. We all know that,” Sanders said. “Why are we arguing over this? What are we doing? Like, when is this going to change? So what are the criteria? Someone needs to say what the criteria are for this prestigious award. Because we’re looking at the best high school football player. This – there has never been a Travis Hunter, and I’m sitting here saying it.” .”

On Shedeur, Sanders answered his own question to some extent when he lobbied on Hunter’s behalf.

It requires exceptional circumstances for teammates to take the field. same Heisman voting. Alabama had two finalists in 2020 (Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith), which came after the Crimson Tide was 11-0 and SEC champions. Ohio State also did that a year ago with Justin Fields and Chase Young, and the Buckeyes likewise went undefeated in the postseason.

Colorado, by contrast, is unranked and lacks a true signature win. Neither helps Shedeur’s efforts to build a Heisman campaign. His individual numbers are also strong (2,591 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 165.0 passer rating) but aren’t outstanding enough to break his team’s record.

Hunter, on the other hand, reminded fans why he could be at the top of the Heisman hierarchy. He caught nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while making two interceptions and breaking up four passes against Cincinnati.

The young forward is on track to at least be invited to the Heisman ceremony in New York City and could become the second winner in program history after Rashaan Salaam in 1994.