Nearly 15 years after Cam Newton led Auburn to a national championship as the Heisman Trophy winner, the former college football great is drawing some mentions by fans for one reason.
Newton played a major role in bringing the Tigers their first national championship since 1957 when he took the reins at quarterback under Gene Chizik.
The former Florida transfer put together one of the best seasons in college football history, although some fans believe that has been forgotten. Fox Sports unveiled their top-10 Heisman trophy seasons of all-time, putting Travis Hunter at No. 3 and Newton at No. 4.
The top-10 Heisman Trophy seasons of all-time, per Fox Sports:
RB Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State (1998)
QB Joe Burrow, LSU (2019)
CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado (2024)
QB Cam Newton, Auburn (2010)
DB/WR Charles Woodson, Michigan (1997)
RB Tony Dorsett, Pitt (1976)
Former Auburn Tigers quarterback Cam Newton.
“If you think Travis hunter had a better season than 2010 Cam Newton you need to get your head checked,” a fan responded.
“Cam newton is #1 regardless of how much y’all dislike him,” one fan wrote. “He single handedly took a MEDIOCRE Auburn team to places they didn’t belong. LSU and the Bama game standout. No shade but burrow had a superstar offensive roster.”
“Cam Newton single handedly won a national title. Jameis Winston should be ahead of Manziel and (Travis) Hunter is not close to top 10,” one responded.
Newton’s blend of physicality and finesse couldn’t be stopped in 2010. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback passed for 2,854 yards with 30 passing touchdowns while adding 1,473 rushing yards with 20 rushing touchdowns.
He also propelled a team that won eight games the previous season to a 14-0 run and BCS national championship.
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
Hunter’s 2024 campaign was vastly different. The wide receiver/cornerback stood out for his ability to produce while playing most of Colorado’s snaps during a 9-4 season.
Hunter led the Big 12 with 96 catches, finished second nationally in touchdown receptions with 15 and fourth nationally in receiving yards with 1,258.
Defensively, Hunter wasn’t thrown at much, but when he was, it didn’t usually work out well for the opposition. The AP Player of the Year finished second in the conference in pass breakups (11) with four interceptions and a forced fumble.
Both Newton and Hunter could make a case for why their Heisman Trophy seasons should stand out above the rest, though it seems that Newton’s run in 2010 has a leg up for college football fans.
“Cam Newton at the very least is above Travis Hunter. Hunter arguably could be left off this list,” another wrote.
“Only Burrow can rival Cam,” one added.
“Cam newton had the best single season of all time and I’ll die on that hill,” one wrote.
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter poses for a photo during a press conference before the 2024 Heisman Trophy Presentation.
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