DENVER (KDVR) -- The University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes’ Travis Hunter is officially one of four finalists for the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
The Heisman Trophy has been awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the country since 1935. The award was initially called the Downtown Athletic Club Award and was first awarded to Chicago's Jay Berwanger in 1935 before John W. Heisman died of pneumonia in 1936, and the club unanimously voted to rename the award to the Heisman Memorial Trophy, according to the website.
This year's finalists were announced Monday evening, and along with Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Hunter, the others up for the award include Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
Hunter has been a favorite for the award all season long. Last month, ESPN ranked Hunter as a favorite in its Heisman Trophy Ranking, along with the others who were named as finalists.
Last week, Hunter was named the Big 12 defensive player of the year.
A panel of over 900 voters including journalists and former Heisman winners will vote to determine who wins this year's award.
The winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy will be announced at the Heisman Ceremony in New York on Dec. 14. The ceremony will be televised at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was close to winning the award last year, but the 2023 honor was ultimately given to Jayden Daniels of LSU.
After this season, Hunter said he plans to enter the NFL draft.