As Shedeur Sanders joins Ashton Jeanty on short list, Travis Hunter misses out on this prestigious award

No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders took a back seat to teammate Travis Hunter when it comes to awards this season. Hunter has received several awards for his play, including the Heisman Trophy. He narrowly beat out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty for the honor.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award finalists were named Wednesday, and this time it is Hunter taking the back seat. Sanders was named a finalist alongside Ashton Jeanty, SMU QB Kevin Jennings, Army QB Bryson Daily and Miami QB Cam Ward.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is given annually to "the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity,", according to the selection committee. Established in 2012, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II won the award last year.

Why was Shedeur Sanders selected as a finalist over Travis Hunter?

Although it is impossible to know exactly why the voters went the way they did, it is possible to figure out why Hunter did not receive a nomination for this award. An important factor to consider is the fact that this award is given to an offensive player.

Although Hunter is an elite wide receiver, he received the Heisman Trophy because of his two-way play. He is one of the best receivers and one of the best cornerbacks in college football. While he is great at both positions, there are arguments to be made for others who play just one side of the ball being better than Hunter.

However, that's not the reason Hunter wasn't selected as a finalist. Hunter was not born in Texas, nor did he attend a Texas high school or college. In addition to all the criteria mentioned above, the award is limited to players who were born in the state of Texas, attended a Texas high school or attended a Texas junior college or university. As a result, Hunter is ineligible for this award. Sanders was born in Tyler, Texas. He also attended Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas.