BOULDER — Travis Hunter may be gone, but there’s still a Colorado player who’s played snaps on both sides of the ball.

After starting the season at wide receiver, sophomore Isaiah Hardge was recently moved to cornerback, where he has also practiced during his time with the Buffaloes, ahead of last week’s game at Arizona State, and he made a solid reintroduction on the defensive side with four tackles and a fumble recovery.

He also has five catches for 37 yards on offense this season.

Here’s everything the Hollywood, Fla. native had to say ahead of the season finale at Kansas State:

Q: When did you find out last week that you might be needed on defense?

A: I found out that I was gonna get some rotation on the defensive side when they brought me back over (from the offense) and said they were going to try to move Preston (Hodge) to the safety position and move back to the nickel spot.

Q: What was that like for you after moving to offense full-time in the spring and now suddenly being back on defense?

A: For me, it was really good. I felt confidence in myself. Defense is second nature for me, so I felt more in that space where I could come in and take on the role that Preston was.

Q: How has this season been for you overall?

A: This year’s been good. Playing on offense, I took on a bigger role. Now, going from special teams to defense, for me, it’s just (about) being a team player. Whatever the coaches need and being available.

Q: Moving into next season, is there one area you’d rather focus on?

A: I would want to still be versatile, doing it two ways and still being on special teams, as well. Anything the team needs, I want to be that person to step up and take on that role.

Q: Walking with Coach Prime pregame this season like he used to do every game with Shedeur Sanders, what has that been like?

A: It means a lot, since he always did that with his sons, with Shilo and Shedeur. Taking on that role and just following that lead and walking with (Coach Prime), it just gives me more confidence going into the game, knowing I’m prepared and that he has my back and the team has my back.

Q: With just one game left, it’s easy to start looking ahead. What would a productive offseason look like for you?

A: The offseason, for me, is about going back home, working on my craft (at) receiver and (defensive back), staying on top of my skills, making sure I’m gaining weight. That’s the biggest thing I need to do is gain weight. 

Q: In your time at CU, you’ve seen the highs and the lows for this program. What’s the key to getting back to the team you were in 2024?

A: Just players stepping up into that role of being a leader, that would be the biggest thing. Ever since we lost Shedeur and Travis, they played that leadership role (and set the standard of) just coming in every day and working hard, helping out people whenever they need help, and just being that guidance for the team and the players.

Q: We’ve heard similar comments about leadership all season. Did it feel like you guys were waiting all season for someone to step up and be a leader?

A: It didn’t feel like that, but you can’t just come out and make somebody be a leader. You have to want to be a leader. You gotta have that leadership role where you just step out, no matter what people say.

Q: It’s been a tough season, but what is the motivation for this team going into the last game of the season?
A: I always look at how the team is and there’s still fire. Nobody’s given up. Nobody’s down. I still feel like the team is bought in to get this last game.