Travis Hunter and BJ Green have both landed on another watch list.
On Monday, Colorado’s two stars were placed on the waiting list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, one of the highest honors given each season to the country’s best defensive player.
Hunter, a third-year cornerback, and Green, a senior defensive lineman, are considered two of the pillars of the Buffaloes’ defense this season.
Hunter is now on the waiting list for six of college football’s most important awards. In addition to the Bednarik Award, he is on the waiting list for: the Walter Camp Award (best player in the country), the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back), the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver) and the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player). He won the Hornung Award last season.
Green, who transferred from Arizona State University, was previously on the waiting list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the best central defender.
Buffs get vote
The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll was released Monday, with Georgia the clear favorite for the top spot.
CU is unranked but received one point — that is, one voter put the Buffs 25th on his ballot. The Buffs received two points in the USA Today coaches poll released a week ago.
In the AP poll, Georgia received 46 of the 62 first-past-the-post votes, Ohio State (number 2) received 15, and Oregon (number 3) received one first-past-the-post vote. Texas and Alabama round out the top five.
Five Big 12 teams are represented in the rankings, led by Utah (No. 12). Oklahoma State (No. 17), Kansas State (No. 18), Arizona (No. 21) and Kansas (No. 22) are also represented in the rankings. CU plays all five teams this year.
In addition, the FCS Coaches Poll was released on Monday, with North Dakota State ranked No. 2. The Buffs will host the Bison in their opening game on August 29.
Seal off
As a member of the Hall of Fame and arguably the best cornerback in professional football history, CU head coach Deion Sanders knows how to recognize good plays at the position.
Hunter is one of the best in the country, but the Buffs bolstered that position in the offseason with talented transfers, including Preston Hodge (Liberty), DJ McKinney (Oklahoma State) and Colton Hood (Auburn).
“I see about four to five guys that can push, run and cover all day long,” Sanders said. “(Guys) that you don’t have to blitz, that don’t have to have exotic things on defense, because these guys can do it.”
Combined with an experienced group of safeties, the Buffs believe they could have one of the best secondary units in the country, according to senior safety Shilo Sanders.
“Man, with all the new guys we have back there in the secondary, there’s just not going to be a fly zone,” Shilo said. “There’s no weak spots.”
Coach Prime is also excited about how the secondary can benefit from a newly formed group of pass rushers.
“This front works with the rear,” he said. “This front is incredible.”
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