PUEBLO, Colo. — A pair of World Champion bull riders may be on the sidelines, but they both have their eyes on a rising bovine star.

Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood and 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis expressed Tuesday that Air Support is one of the top bulls in the PBR during a Coors Banquet Virtual Happy Hour hosted by Matt West.

When asked about which bull he would like to get on when he returns to competition in mid-September, Lockwood quickly responded with Air Support.

The No. 2 bull in the YETI World Champion Bull race has entered the world title conversation in 2020, and he is 11-0 at all levels of competition since debuting at the 2018 Velocity Tour Finals.

“He is the best bull in the world, and I think to be the best bull rider in the world you have to ride the best bulls,” Lockwood said. “That is one no one has cracked yet, and to get the chance to pick him, I think you would be silly not to. I mean If you are a businessman, you are going to pick a good one going in just to win the event, but that was what made me pick Heartbreak Kid last year. Jose (Vitor Leme) was ahead of me and I had to make up ground. So I feel like that is going to happen plenty, especially with Dalton (Kasel) and Coop both coming back.

“I am going to be in a position that I will have to make up ground. So I think Air Support is going to be on my radar when I get back.”

Air Support is bucking in the championship round Sunday at the PBR Cooper Tires Invitational, presented by Ariat, for the first time since he posted a 45.75-point score in Little Rock, Arkansas, in March when he bucked off Ezekiel Mitchell (3.1 seconds).

Fans can watch the championship round live on CBS Sports Network and RidePass beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Round 1 airs Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

Lockwood, though, believes the best rider to challenge Air Support may not be attending this weekend at the Lazy E Arena.

“I honestly think right now Cooper’s style fits Air Support’s the best of anyone in the PBR,” Lockwood said. “I would love to see Coop on Air Support the most of anyone in the PBR right now.”

Davis remains out of competition because of a broken neck, but he believes he is extremely close to a return.

The 2015 World Finals event winner agrees with Lockwood that Air Support is one of the best bucking bulls in the world right now, and that Davis believes he has what it takes to conquer the son of four-time PBR World Finals qualifier Air Time.

“That is going to be one of my top picks whenever I come back because I have watched him go,” Davis said. “Global Cup, he really, really bucked there, and with my riding style, I really sit up leaving there and kind of run my knees up when he does kick hard. I think he really would fit my style, and I am looking forward to it.”

One rider that may get a shot against Air Support this weekend is 2019 Rookie of the Year Dalton Kasel.

Kasel was also a part of the Coors Banquet Virtual Happy Hour and said he wouldn’t mind taking on Air Support this weekend after originally saying he hopes for a chance against three-time World Champion SweetPro’s Bruiser or Heartbreak Kid.

All three bulls are slated for the championship round.

Air Support bucked Kasel last year at the Allen, Texas, Touring Pro Division event. The 5-year-old bull was marked 46.5 points during that trip.

“Or Air Support, yeah,” Kasel chimed in. “I got on him at a Touring Pro this year and he bucked me off, but that bull is so cool. How Cooper rides, it would be lots of points.”

Another bull to keep an eye on this weekend at the Lazy E Arena is I’m Legit Too, who posted a 46.25-point score two weeks ago at the Lazy E Arena.

PBR Director of Livestock Cody Lambert said he has had the 5-year-old in the top tier of the YETI World Champion contenders for some time.

Lambert said he took notice of I’m Legit Too especially in Kansas City.  I’m Legit Too first bucked off Jose Vitor Leme at the WCRA Royal City Roundup in 2.23 second.  Lockwood then rode the bull for 91.5 points in the championship round before tearing his hamstring

“I’m Legit Too. I thought he was in that group a few weeks ago when he was in Kansas City and he is just continuing to get better,” Lambert said. “I think Air Support is right there with him.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko