Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter strikes Heisman pose after nine-catch, one-touchdown, one-interception effort in win over UCF

Travis Hunter made the bold move of striking the Heisman pose during Colorado’s 48-21 rout of Central Florida on Saturday in Orlando.

Heisman winners usually play quarterback, typical of College Football Playoff contenders, but Hunter’s status as a two-way star may be too much for voters to overlook. On Saturday, for example, he had nine catches for 89 yards and a touchdown on offense, while recording an interception and a pair of tackles on defense.

Oh, and he played over 100 snaps on offense and defense.

Hunter splits his time between wide receiver and cornerback, and while Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes have already matched last season’s win total, it may be a stretch to call them a serious threat to win the Big 12 — or maybe not .

The ceiling for Hunter and CU may need to be reassessed after heading to new conference rivalry UCF on Saturday and turning the Bounce House into the Buffs’ House.

Receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter warms up before Saturday’s game in Orlando

“This is one of the first times we’ve had offense, defense and special teams come together at the same time,” Sanders said.

Hunter has routinely logged more than 100 snaps in games as a lockdown cornerback on an improved Colorado defense and quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ favorite target on offense.

Many a Heisman hopeful in September has become a footnote to the season in November, but a healthy Hunter could change the usual dynamic of the race.

Since 2000, 20 Heisman winners have been quarterbacks, and most of them have played for teams that entered the postseason with a shot at a national title.

The big question about LSU’s Jayden Daniels Heisman campaign last year was whether he could improve on a 9-3 record. The last Heisman winner to be part of a team that lost that many regular-season games was Lamar Jackson for Louisville in 2016.

Hunter extends a pass from Shedeur Sanders during Saturday’s warm-up in Orlando

Hunter (12) catches a pass as Central Florida defensive back Brandon Adams (0) defends

Hunter will be an unusual Heisman candidate, but he is a unique talent. Charles Woodson won the Heisman in 1997 as a brilliant cornerback, part-time receiver and occasional special teams weapon.

Woodson didn’t play that much or at this level on either side of the ball. Hunter will have NFL teams considering whether to use him on offense or defense when he is a first-round pick in April.

Hunter is currently on pace for over 100 catches and 1,000 yards receiving. Hunter’s Heisman hopes are as much about how well Colorado (4-1) holds up as he does. It’s early, but the Buffs enter their week off tied for first place in the Big 12.

No. 23 Kansas State comes to Boulder on October 12 for a game that will undoubtedly be a televised first. Coach Prime’s team is still a ratings machine.

That should help Hunter too. His brilliance should continue to get a big stage as long as Colorado doesn’t nosedive as quickly as it did last season.

It’s funny how things go.

Last season, CU stormed to a 3-0 start and spent several weeks as a ranked team. It was all a mirage. The Buffs finished 4-8 and Hunter missed part of the season with injuries.

The buzz around the Buffs is growing more organically this season, which could give both Colorado and Hunter staying power.