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Associated Press Announces 2024 College Football Player Of The Year

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 12, 2024 2:05 PM ET

The Heisman Trophy award winner is set to be announced in a few days, but the Associated Press has named its college football player of the year today.

According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, Colorado's versatile wide receiver & cornerback Travis Hunter has been named the AP's College Football Player of the Year. Per the report, he received 26 out of 43 possible votes from the Associated Press voters.

Historically speaking, the AP's player of the year has been a solid but not perfect predictor for who would win the Heisman Trophy. Since the award's introduction in 1998, 22 of their 27 award winners have gone on to win the Heisman Trophy - including the last eight.

Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year, receiving 26 of 43 votes from a panel of @AP_Top25 voters
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 12, 2024

This has been one of the most heated Heisman trophy races in ages due to the range of candidates and achievements on display. While quarterbacks Cam Ward and Dillon Gabriel both had tremendous seasons for Miami and Oregon respectively, neither has been viewed as the primary catalyst for their team's success the way the last few quarterbacks who won the award have.

Contrast that with Hunter and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who have done some truly remarkable things this season.

Hunter has proven to be among the best at not one, but two different positions, setting a new Colorado record for touchdown receptions in a single season, while leading the Colorado defense in interceptions and passes defended.

Jeanty, meanwhile, has been nigh unstoppable as a running back. He has led the nation in rushing yards with 2,497 and 29 touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards per carry over 13 games.

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 28:Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) smiles after a touchdown during a college football game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the UCF Knights on September 28th, 2024 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Jeanty's dominance on the ground is a big reason why the reaction to Hunter's Heisman win has been largely negative online. Many fans believe that Hunter has only received the award for showing versatility as opposed to utter dominance at a position.

"Some of these folks don’t know ball…. and it shows. Give the names out of these folks," one user demanded.

"Snaps isn’t a stat," another declared.

"Jeanty got fleeced," a third wrote.

The Heisman Trophy presentation is this Saturday night. Judging by the vote alone, it's going to be a close race - and will likely anger plenty of fans one way or another.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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