Charles Woodson on Travis Hunter: 'You are what the Heisman Trophy is all about'

On Saturday night, Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter claimed what was rightfully his, the 2024 Heisman Trophy Award.

On Sunday morning, Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, a former Heisman winner and two-way player himself, lauded Hunter and his extraordinary season on "FOX NFL Kickoff."

"It brought me great joy to see you up there on that stage last night because you are what the Heisman Trophy is all about," Woodson said about Hunter. "It's not about the best running back. It's not about the best receiver. It's not about the best quarterback. It is about the best player, and you were that. Coach Prime [Deion Sanders], shout-out to you for allowing us to witness the greatness that it was this year with Travis Hunter, allowing him to play offense and defense. You went out there each and every game, and you made all the plays, so congratulations to you. We were all in awe watching you this year playing ball the way that you did, and we can't wait to see what you do next, so congratulations on being the 89th Heisman Trophy winner.

"And guess what, man? Those Heisman commercials with me and you on defense against all of those offensive players, we're going to have some fun. The Heisman House is going to be lit. Congratulations to you, man."

Hunter has totaled 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, leading the Big 12 in both receptions and TDs. He has also posted 100-plus receiving yards in seven games this season.

As a cornerback, Hunter has four interceptions, a conference-best 11 passes defended and 32 combined tackles, helping him win Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. Hunter has already announced that he's declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft after the season, but he's expected to play for the No. 23 Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl against the No. 17 BYU Cougars on Dec. 28.

On the draft front, FOX Sports NFL Insider Peter Schrager noted that Hunter is likely to be a "top-five pick," but that NFL teams prefer him as a primary cornerback who occasionally plays wide receiver. 

If the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders — who are tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-11 — each take a quarterback, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots are prime candidates to draft Hunter. In his latest mock draft, however, FOX Sports NFL Draft Analyst Rob Rang has Hunter going No. 1 to the Giants. 

[Rang: 2025 NFL mock draft: Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders to go 1-2?]

During three seasons at Michigan (1995-97), Woodson shined as a defensive back but also dabbled as a wide receiver, took handoffs and returned punts. In 1997, Woodson logged seven interceptions, 231 receiving yards and returned a punt for a touchdown en route to winning Heisman honors. 

Woodson was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 4 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, going on to become a three-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler as a cornerback, while also returning punts again later in his career. He won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers.

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