Latest news with #Big12DefensivePlayeroftheYear
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Travis Hunter shines at Jaguars practice, shows off two-way potential
Travis Hunter shines at Jaguars practice, shows off two-way potential Travis Hunter's greatest gift might be his athleticism, and after it being on full display for two years at Colorado, the former Buffaloes star is ready to show out on Sundays in the NFL. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is not waiting for Sundays to show out. At Tuesday's Jacksonville Jaguars practice, Hunter showed why he was the No. 2 overall pick and a true two-way player. Hunter lined up at cornerback against wide receiver Darius Lassiter and made a spectacular one-handed tip, diving interception that, by the video, looked like it prevented a touchdown. After beginning OTAs, practicing with the offense and getting reps in at wide receiver, Hunter has spent the majority of the last few days with the Jaguars' defense and looks to have fit in seamlessly. Hunter is a true unicorn and might be the first ever NFL player to truly play both sides of the ball at an elite level. During his final year at Colorado, the two-way superstar racked up 36 total tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble en route to the Heisman Trophy and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The odds are stacked against him to continue his elite two-way play at the highest level, but if anyone can do it, it is Hunter, who has an inspiring amount of self-belief to go along with his top-tier talent. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Former Longhorns DT Casey Hampton on ballot for 2026 College Football Hall of Fame
Former Longhorns DT Casey Hampton on ballot for 2026 College Football Hall of Fame The National Football Foundation has announced the list of players nominated for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. This list includes 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision. One former Texas Longhorn that made the cut is former defensive tackle Casey Hampton. Hampton starred on defense for Texas from 1996-2000. One of his teammates from that era was Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. Halfway through Hampton's career on the 40 Acres, Texas hired Mack Brown as head coach. "Casey Hampton was a great player, a pleasure to coach and an even better person. He was a guy that always set the pace and brought his best, whether it was in offseason workouts, practice or games. He was just a relentless competitor who was unbelievably productive and led some of the best defenses in Texas history. Casey was so strong and physical and really unblockable. He drew double and even triple teams every snap, yet still led our team in tackles from an interior line position and anchored our defense for four seasons. What he did in the NFL, playing 12 seasons as a key cog on great Steelers defenses is truly incredible, as well. He is an all-time great as a college and pro player and so deserving of consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame." - Former Texas Longhorns coach Mack Brown The Galveston Ball product was the anchor of the 1999 defense that ranked sixth in the nation and seventh in 2000. Hampton was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and was named All-Big 12 three times. He finished second all-time (now fifth) in tackles for loss. He became the first defensive lineman to lead Texas in tackles two consecutive seasons (1999–2000), and recorded 329 tackles (177 solos) to rank 11th on the school's all-time list. Hampton registered 56 quarterback pressures and caused nine fumbles in his college career. He earned consensus first-team All-American in 2000. Hampton was drafted 19th in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers where he thrived for 12 years, winning two Super Bowls. With the Steelers, Hampton was named to the Pro Bowl five times, is on the Steelers All-Time Team, the the Pittsburgh Hall of Honor and Hall of Fame. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Houston guard Milos Uzan reportedly withdraws from NBA Draft to return to school for his senior season
One of the best players on one of the best college-basketball teams from last season is going to run it back. Houston guard Milos Uzan will reportedly withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to school for his senior season, according to multiple reports. The decision comes as a major surprise. Uzan was listed as No. 38 on Yahoo Sports' NBA Draft big board, suggesting he would be selected early in the second round — with the possibility of going near the end of the first round. Advertisement It's not the first time Uzan has pulled himself out of the draft. Uzan also went through the NBA Draft process following his sophomore year at Oklahoma. He pulled out before the draft deadline and announced he would return to college, but transfer to Houston. He experienced a breakout season with the Cougars. Uzan, 22, averaged 11.4 points and 4.3 assists in his first season at Houston. The Cougars went 35-5 and finished No. 2 overall in the final men's poll of the season. During the NCAA Tournament, Uzan helped the Cougars reach the championship, where they lost to Florida in a tight game. Uzan scored six points in the contest. Following the end of the college season, Uzan again decided to go through the draft process. He opted to pull out Tuesday — a day before the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft — and go back to Houston for a final year. Advertisement Uzan did not specify why he withdrew from the draft again. It's possible the guard was hoping to receive a higher draft grade from teams and experts. It's also possible he wanted to return the Houston to try and win a championship after the team nearly pulled off the feat last season. Uzan's return should ensure the Cougars are ranked high once again at the start of the 2025-26 college-basketball season. He'll combine with Emanuel Sharp — who averaged 12.6 points last season — and Joseph Tugler, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, to give Houston a formidable trio. Uzan could see his numbers increase once again in his senior season, especially after L.J. Cryer's departure. If Uzan can step up his game once more, he could further increase his NBA Draft grade before his college eligibility runs out after next season.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Travis Hunter draft predictions: Where is the star WR, CB projected to be picked Thursday?
Travis Hunter will find out where his career starts on Thursday, April 24's NFL Draft, which begins at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The two-way star at wide receiver and cornerback is one of the most highly-touted players in this year's draft after spending college at Jackson State in 2022 and Colorado from 2023 to 2024. Advertisement The West Palm Beach native finished his college career with 171 receptions for 2,167 yards and scored 24 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, Hunter was a shutdown corner, with 80 career tackles, 22 pass deflections, and nine interceptions. Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Colorado Buffaloes, coached by Deion Sanders, finish 9-4 and reach their first bowl game appearance, the Alamo Bowl, since the 2020 season. Hunter's No. 12 jersey has been retired by the program, alongside his teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders' No. 2. So, after a decorated and award-winning college football career, where will Hunter land in the 2025 NFL Draft? Let's take a look at his projections. Travis Hunter Draft Prediction: USA Today Network No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns Travis Hunter Draft Prediction: Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns Travis Hunter Draft Prediction: Todd McShay, The Ringer No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns Travis Hunter Draft Prediction: Bucky Brooks, No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns Travis Hunter NFL Draft Prediction: Peter Schrager, ESPN No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns Advertisement Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Travis Hunter NFL Draft projection: Where will the Heisman winner land?
Miami Herald
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Jaguars GM jacked about adding ‘rare person, rare player' Travis Hunter
No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter might need no introduction in Jacksonville, but Jaguars general manager James Gladstone played hype man on Friday seated to the left of the Heisman Trophy winner and two chairs away from head coach Liam Coen. "As we sit here, Travis Hunter is a Jacksonville Jaguar. Thinking about the sport of football and the power of the game itself, it's capacity to ignite belief," the 34-year-old Gladstone said. "Belief in ourselves, belief in others. Belief in achieving what many may deem impossible. Travis Hunter embodies belief. He's a rare person. He's a rare player. But he is a reminder that the boundaries of the game of football were built to be challenged. The decision to draft him was actually a statement - a statement for how we plan to move and who we are. And we want him to be nothing more than him. Because when he is, he elevates the space around him. From the football field, to the city, to the game of football itself. Travis Hunter is who we've been hunting up. "I couldn't be more jacked to be sitting right here beside him to introduce you to the man of the hour," Gladstone said. The Jaguars entered the draft with 10 total picks and made tidal waves at the outset on Thursday, trading the fifth and 36th pick, a fourth-round selection (126) in 2025 and their first-round pick in 2026 to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 pick, a fourth-rounder (No. 106) and a sixth-round selection (200). The Florida native was giddy about being called home by the Jaguars. He hadn't talked to anyone in the organization since February at the NFL Scouting Combine until his agent intimated something might be coming. Hunter said he started looking for homes in the area because he just had a feeling it would wind up being Jacksonville. "They believe in me ... they trust in everything that I've done. I've just got to go out there and prove it right," Hunter said Friday. "It's definitely a lot of motivation. They sacrificed a lot to get me. That means they believe in me. And that just validates that I need to go ahead and just do my job." Hunter's NFL job description is not yet written in ink. He knows for certain he'll wear No. 12 and be on the field as much as the coaching staff allows. Hunter was drafted to be a wide receiver but will also get chances at cornerback as the plan stands Friday. Coen said sports science, position coaches, team physicians and personnel bosses would all have input on the best way to deploy Hunter. He played both positions and averaged over 113 snaps per game at Colorado in 2024. He was the Heisman winner, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, AP college football player of the year, and the Jaguars are convinced he's just getting started. Hunter said he's already on a first-name basis with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. They met at an Adidas commercial shoot in Hawaii, and is a proud member of the unofficial Brian Thomas Jr. fan club. The Jaguars' first-round pick last season, Thomas was the 23rd overall pick and set the Jaguars' single-season rookie touchdown receptions and receiving yards records. Whether Hunter gets a chance to defend Thomas on the practice field remains to be seen. "We do have to be fluid throughout," Coen said. "We'll have a plan right now of primarily on offense with learning the defensive system and practicing on the defensive side of the ball as well throughout this offseason program. We have to be fluid throughout this whole process. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
