Travis Hunter, the flashy football player that Boise can’t stand, did it again.
He upstaged Ashton Jeanty.
Didn’t know it was possible. Now he’s done it twice.
First at the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Then at the NFL Draft.
Boise football fans may not embrace this, but in a few short months, this Jeanty-Hunter thing has turned into a fantastic individual rivalry, between two wonderful football players and two brilliant personalities.
One is considered controversial, the Product of Prime.
The other is considered charming, the loyal teammate with a booming smile.
This is a rivalry that could blossom in the NFL for years to come.
I’m here for it.
That’s because both players are compelling in most everything they do. They are elite on the field, doing things that nobody else does. They are two of the most entertaining athletes in our country right now. They both love football and they both love the spotlight.
Mike Prater
This rivalry turned spicy during last season’s Heisman run – Hunter eventually won, Jeanty finished second and college football fans across the country screamed foul.
Boise State’s running back had a better season, according to many. He carried the ball for 2,601 yards – and carried himself with humility and class, according to all. His team had a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
Colorado’s two-way player won the Heisman for two reasons, according to many: The Coach Prime hype machine and football’s newest silly stat – snap counts. The Buffs finished fourth in the Big 12.
Hunter was the Voters’ Champ.
Jeanty was the Peoples’ Champ.
And a rivalry was born.
The intensity grew to another level this past week in Green Bay, home of the NFL Draft.
On Wednesday, the two players, together again, were introduced back-to-back at a clinic for kids. Hunter received the louder ovation.
On Thursday night as the draft opened, the Jaguars traded up, gave up draft capital and shockingly moved into the No. 2 spot to snag Hunter. The stunning move was the headline of the night.
Jeanty went No. 6 to the Raiders, as expected.
Hunter gets a rookie contract worth $46,571,074.
Jeanty gets a rookie contract worth $35,837,732.
Hunter wasn’t 214 points better than Jeanty as a Heisman candidate, IMO.
Hunter isn’t $10,733,342 better than Jeanty as a football player, IMO.
Confession: I like Hunter. He’s obviously talented, whether you like him or not, and he’s highly intelligent. He makes things interesting and he plays the perfect foil to the perfect Jeanty. I’m not going to knock him because he played for Deion Sanders.
Jeanty, who finished ahead of Hunter in the Maxwell National Player of the Year award, is definitely better than Hunter in one area: Pulling off that confident, cocky attitude.
Hunter brags about himself all the time. Gets bashed for it, too. He puts a vibe and a energy out there and you sometimes wonder about his sincerity.
Jeanty, likewise, brags about himself all the time. He gets away with it because of his loyal approach to football and teammates. And that smooth, Hollywood smile.
These two men go about their business in different ways. One is a me-guy and the other is a team-guy … and that’s OK. Rivalries need conflict and contrast.
Jeanty and Hunter, it seems, will be latched together for the rest of their football lives. They will be compared forever. They will be must-watch TV on football fields, hopefully, for many falls to come.
Their rivalry continued post-draft when one betting site released odds for NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards.
Cam Ward is the betting favorite to win Offensive ROY, ahead of No. 2 Jeanty and No. 3 Hunter. Jeanty got him there – until Hunter also showed up on the list of Defensive ROY betting favorites.
Dude always seems to one-up the next guy, in this case Jeanty. Again.
But here’s the best part: This rivalry hits the football field later this year for the first ever head-to-head matchup between Jeanty and Hunter.
The Raiders and Jaguars play each other in Vegas this season – the date will be announced with the NFL schedule release May 14. Both teams are bad, but you would think Jeanty-Hunter makes good TV and this game is destined for a national broadcast.
A Thursday night?
A Sunday afternoon?
A Monday night?
It doesn’t matter as long as both players are on the field, both healthy, with Jeanty playing running back and Hunter playing defense. Two stars on one field at the same time, working their magic and doing their thing.
Power vs. pizzazz.
Here in Boise, we can’t wait for that first collision.
Massive advantage Jeanty.
Mike Prater is the Bronco Nation News columnist who co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk (KTIK 95.3 FM on Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.) and the Boise State football postgame show (KBOI 670 AM). He is on Twitter @MikeFPrater and can be reached at mikefprater@gmail.com
