Video: Deion Sanders Explains Why Travis Hunter's Thorpe Award Snub Made Him 'Mad'

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders was pretty shocked that two-way star Travis Hunter wasn't a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back, calling the omission the "most idiotic thing in college football" while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

In a behind-the-scenes video by Well Off Media on Wednesday, Sanders further elaborated on why he was so frustrated by the snub.

"How in the world can you be up for the player of the year, defensive player of the year, but [not the Thorpe]? How does that make sense?" he said in his office while meeting with Hunter ... "This is my theory. I figured it out, because it was on my mind all night. See, this is what they're thinking. They're thinking that you are going to win other awards, and you weren't going to be there. So guess what I did? I checked the dates of the award ceremonies. See this award ceremony is on the same date as this award ceremony. So they figure you're going to win this award and not want to come get that award."

He added: "Then when you look at the statistics, it really made me mad. That really made me mad. That really made me mad. But statistics shouldn't matter because it's the threat, like the threat. The threat, like I ain't gonna throw it over here 'cause I know."

If Sanders is referring to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, his timeline is a bit off, given that it takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Jim Thorpe winner, meanwhile, will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Hunter is already up for the Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year), Biletnikoff Award (outstanding receiver) and Maxwell Award (Player of the Year) at that same awards show. He almost assuredly will be a finalist for the Heisman as well.

Another theory, of course, is that while Hunter's offensive stats jump off the page (82 catches for 1,036 yards and 11 interceptions)—and his player of the year candidacies are supported by the fact that he's playing at a high level on both offense and defense—his stats at cornerback aren't quite as impressive.

This season, he posted 30 tackles, nine passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble.

That argument falls apart on two fronts, however. First, consider the defensive stats from the Thorpe finalists. Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron has registered 41 tackles, eight passes defensed, four interceptions and a sack. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has 50 tackles, three passes defensed and zero interceptions. And Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks has 55 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception.

Unless you really value tackles, those statistical profiles for defensive backs aren't more impressive than what Hunter has posted.

Plus, as Sanders noted, Hunter has put up his numbers despite teams avoiding his side of the field.

"He rarely gets thrown at," he told reporters. "They just messed up all the integrity of the award and he can have mine. Whoever's voting down there, whoever's bringing it home, thank you. Because I don't even want mine now. God bless you."

So you can understand Sanders—a former Jim Thorpe award-winner himself—sticking up for his guy. And while he may be a touch biased, he's also a Hall of Fame cornerback and his evaluation of the cornerback position is highly credible. And frankly, even from an outside perspective, it's hard to find a logical basis for the Thorpe not naming Hunter a finalist.