The performance of the Colorado Buffaloes, and especially Travis Hunter, is making the leopards change their spots. From all the unnecessary trolling to harsh criticisms, the noise has seemingly died down ever since Colorado’s massive win against the UCF Knights. More so than the victory itself, Hunter is being praised for being one of the fan-favorite Heisman contenders after he made an exceptional interception and later struck the Heisman pose during his celebration. The two-way athlete who faced scrutiny for claiming he’ll be able to pull it off at the NFL level as well is now being celebrated for being the best player in the nation, especially by Stephen A. Smith.

On the most recent episode of the ‘First Take’ show, Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith looked to be in a conversation with each other about the Colorado-UCF game before their attention spanned to the incredible feats of Travis Hunter. While mentioning how Travis should be the winner of the Heisman Trophy, he also talked about how Shedeur will be a top pick in the NFL Draft of 2025 and how Coach Prime is on his way to becoming the coach of the year.

Smith was heard saying, “I think that Travis Hunter should be the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Plays both sides of the ball, this brother is special. He’s a playmaker on both sides of the ball, a difference maker, on both sides of the ball, can be a locked-down defender when you ask him to as well from the cornerback position, the brother is spectacular. And it’s so ironic that his coach’s Primetime Deion Sanders because he was one of the brothers that could do that on both the collegiate and the professional level obviously.” 

While this is honorable praise from the analyst, it sure contradicts his earlier opinion of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders when he advised them to expect scrutiny due to their high NIL valuations.

Shedeur and Travis should expect scrutiny, as per Smith’s earlier comments

As of now, both Shedeur and Travis rank at the number 1st and number 3rd position, respectively, as per the NIL valuations list compiled by On3, segregated only by the LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne. Back in August, Paul Finebaum and Stephen Smith were involved in a heated debate over Deion Sanders’ decision to hit back at the media for criticizing his players so frequently and incessantly. To which, Smith chimed in with his own take on how Shedeur and Travis aren’t “amateurs” anymore and they should expect some sort of backlash.

Smith highlighted the high paychecks that the two Colorado prodigies were receiving and said, “And as a result, they’re not amateurs, really, anymore. They’re getting paid now. When I look at this: Shedeur Sanders 5.1 million, Travis Hunter, 3.1 million, currently ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in NIL valuations among all college athletes, according to On3.com. That is a fact. And so as a result of that, they’re no longer amateurs. They get paid. And in some instances, it ain’t just the media. Every NFL player ain’t making 3.1 million. Every NFL player ain’t making 5.1 million. They’re getting more than some NFL players. Scrutiny comes with that. He’s got to know that.” 

From making these comments about Travis to now claiming him to be the deserving winner of the Heisman Trophy, Smith has come a long way and will probably shake his head when discussing the wealth of the young and the generational talent from now on.