Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter both getting snubbed shows larger pattern, contends CFB Analyst 

Deion Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter helped the No. 23-ranked Colorado Buffaloes have their best season in recent memory. The Buffaloes (9-3) were in the mix to play in the Big 12 Championship Game and college football playoff for most of the season. If not for an upset 21-37 loss to Kansas in the second-last game of the season, they could have qualified for both.

However, a disappointing loss at the end of the season does not detract from the Buffaloes's success this year. Despite the excellent season, Travis Hunter and Coach Prime were snubbed for awards in the opinion of CFB analyst RJ Young. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"1. Travis Hunter was snubbed for the Thorpe Award. 2. Coach Prime was snubbed for Big 12 Coach of the Year. 3. Colorado Buffs fans see a trend."

The Buffs saw their season end after BYU's 30-18 win over Houston all but shut down their hopes to fight for the Big 12 championship. This meant Coach Prime and his team finished 23rd on the CFP rankings and 20th on the AP Poll.

Travis Hunter is not nominated for the Thorpe Award

Colorado star Travis Hunter is widely expected to win the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player at the end of the season. He is the big favorite, with the only player with any chance being No. 10-ranked Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. However, despite being tipped as the front-runner for the most prestigious award in college football, he was not named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.

The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the top defensive back in college football. Hunter was not named a finalist; instead, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, Ohio State safety Caleb Dwons and Georgia safety Malaki Starks were named the finalists.

Analyst RJ Young appears to believe that Hunter was not selected because of the team he plays on. He implied he would have been chosen if Hunter played for a more prestigious program like Texas or Ohio State.

Deion Sanders is not named the Big 12 Coach of the Year

Colorado Buffaloes HC Deion Sanders gives instructions during an NCAA Football game. (Credits: IMAGN)

Young also believes Deion Sanders was snubbed as the Big 12 Coach of the Year. There is no denying that Sanders helped the Buffaloes have an excellent season and their best in many years.

However, it is hard to argue with the winner. Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year after posting the biggest single-year win improvement in school history. He led the No. 15-ranked Sun Devils (10-2) to the top of the Big 12 standings and a Big 12 Championship Game.