BOULDER — Two of the most electrifying players in Colorado football history will receive one of the sport’s highest honors this Saturday. During the Buffaloes’ annual Black & Gold Spring Game, the University of Colorado will officially retire the jersey numbers of Travis Hunter (No. 12) and Shedeur Sanders (No. 2), solidifying their legacies in Boulder forever.

The ceremony, set to begin at 2:30 p.m. and broadcast nationally on ESPN2, marks the first time in nearly a decade that CU will retire a football jersey — and it’s the first time ever that two players will be honored simultaneously.

Dual Threat, Dual Legacy

Travis Hunter didn’t just make history at Colorado — he redefined what was possible for a college football player. The two-way sensation won an unprecedented eight major national awards in 2024, becoming a consensus Heisman Trophy winner and the most decorated player in the sport that season. From the Bednarik Award to the Biletnikoff, from the Paul Hornung to the Walter Camp, Hunter dominated on both sides of the ball in a way the game hadn’t seen in generations.

He racked up 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wide receiver, while also delivering 36 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass breakups on defense — all while playing nearly every snap. In just two seasons at Colorado, he recorded 153 catches for 1,989 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns, along with 67 tackles and seven interceptions.

Despite missing time due to injury, Hunter led the FBS in total snaps in both years he played for the Buffs, finishing with 2,625 total. Pro Football Focus graded him as the top receiver in Power 4 football and one of the best coverage defenders as well. And in the classroom, he was just as dominant — earning Academic All-American of the Year honors.

The Standard at Quarterback

On the other side of CU’s explosive offense stood Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback who brought national attention, elite precision, and historic production to the Buffaloes. In 2024, he captured the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was a first-team All-American across several outlets. He completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions.

Sanders holds over 100 school records — including career touchdown passes, passer rating, and completion percentage — all achieved in just two seasons. He owns CU’s two most accurate single-season performances and ranks among the top three in nearly every statistical category that matters.

Perhaps his most astonishing record is one that transcends Boulder: Shedeur threw at least one touchdown pass in 49 consecutive games, an NCAA Division I record. Across his college career, he totaled 14,353 yards and 134 touchdowns with a completion percentage over 70 percent — a feat matched by only one other quarterback in Division I history.

Rare Company

Only four numbers have previously been retired in Colorado football’s 135-year history: Byron “Whizzer” White’s No. 24, Joe Romig’s No. 67, Bobby Anderson’s No. 11, and Rashaan Salaam’s No. 19. Now, No. 2 and No. 12 will join those ranks, hanging in Folsom Field as a permanent tribute to two of the most iconic players the program has ever seen.

White’s number was retired in 1938, just one year after his final game. Romig and Anderson were honored during spring games in the 1960s and 70s, while Salaam, the 1994 Heisman winner, had his jersey retired posthumously in 2017.

What makes Saturday’s ceremony unique is that both Sanders and Hunter played just two seasons in Boulder — yet their impact was so immense, so transformative, that Colorado is enshrining them alongside the program’s most legendary names.

A National Moment

Saturday’s tribute is more than just a jersey retirement. It’s a celebration of a new era in CU football — one that has seen the Buffaloes rise from irrelevance to the center of the college football spotlight under the guidance of head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders.

The decision to retire both numbers during the nationally televised spring game is a nod to how much the program — and the nation — has embraced the dynamic duo of Hunter and Sanders. And while their next steps may take them to the NFL, their names and numbers will remain in Boulder forever.

As fans pack into Folsom Field and viewers tune in from around the country, Saturday’s event promises to be more than a scrimmage. It’s a moment in CU history. A farewell to two generational talents. And a reminder that legends don’t just play the game — they change it.