The gunslinging watch-flexer and the two-way Heisman winner are being immortalized in CU Buffs football history.
Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will have their numbers retired during Saturday’s spring game, the Buffs announced on Monday.
Sanders’ No. 2 and Hunter’s No. 12 will be the fifth and sixth numbers retired in the 135-year history of the program. Both players, who followed coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Boulder ahead of the 2023 season, are expected to be top picks in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft.
Shedeur Sanders finished his CU career as the Buffs’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns (134) and QB rating (156.01) as he broke over 100 program records. Coach Prime’s son threw a TD pass in 49 straight games, the longest streak in NCAA Division I history, and capped his CU career in 2024 by winning the Johnny Unitas Award as the top quarterback in college football in addition to being named the Big 12 offensive player of the year.
Meanwhile, Hunter became just the second CU player ever to win the Heisman when he did so in December, joining running back Rashaan Salaam’s feat from 1994.
In addition to the Heisman, the dynamic wideout/cornerback raked in the accolades in ’24 as he also won player of the year honors from the AP and Sporting News; repeated as the Paul Hornung Award presented annually to the nation’s most versatile player; won the Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy for his defensive play; and claimed the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver.
Hunter finished his career with 153 catches for 1,989 yards and 20 TDs, and had 67 tackles, seven interceptions, 16 pass-breakups and a forced fumble on defense. He led FBS in snaps in 2023 and ’24, with 2,625 in total despite missing about five games due to injury.
Sanders and Hunter headlined the Buffs’ turnaround over the past couple of seasons under Coach Prime, as CU went from 1-11 in 2022 to 4-8 in 2023 and then 9-4 with a bowl appearance last season.
The other retired numbers in CU history are No. 24 worn by quarterback/halfback Byron White in 1936-37; No. 67 worn by guard/linebacker Joe Romig from 1959-61; No. 11 worn by quarterback/tailback Bobby Anderson from 1967-69; and No. 19 worn by Salaam from 1993-94.
No. 2 and No. 12 will be retired in a ceremony at the beginning of Saturday’s Black & Gold spring game at Folsom Field, which begins at 2:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.
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