All those Colorado Buffaloes haters, where you at? Deion Sanders and co. are here with a sequel that’s going to be the Buffs’ rivals’ worst nightmare. Now that the 2024 season marks the last chapter of their two-way star Travis Hunter in college football, it goes unsaid that the program would have a nosedive. But uh huh! That’s not going to happen anytime soon. Based on the latest edition of ‘People Are Saying’, a Hunter 2.0 is in the making in Boulder. The athlete surely deserves some kudos since the race to become the next Hunter was no cakewalk! 

Just when CFB fans thought that it’s gonna be an uphill ride for the Buffs with neither Shedeur nor Hunter on the driver’s wheel, Deion dropped in with a big surprise. Having a brilliant eye for real talent, he succeeded in getting Hunter’s replacement even before he was gone. That’s none other than Isaiah Hardge. And did they keep the big news in a vault? Definitely not. On October 1, they posted a clip from Hardge’s practice with Deion, and there Coach Prime dropped his banger showing off the redshirt freshman, “You only thought we had Travis, He next.”

But the fans didn’t wait for the Buffs HC to chime in with the confirmation. Hardge’s jersey has been enough for them to be on cloud nine. Gray color! That’s something only Hunter has the privilege to wear. But as seen in the video, Deion wanted to make it a big thing. “Tell them what a gray jersey means,” ordered Deion. “Gray jersey means both ways,” answered Hardge with a proud grin on his face.  

But what makes him so special to be able to wear the jersey that only Hunter has the talent to don? Well, Hardge was recruited by Colorado as a wide receiver from St. Thomas Aquinas High School back in 2023. And ever since the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder who was listed as a DB in his true freshman season has stepped in, he continued to woo the Buffs camp. But it was during this year’s spring camp that he earned the trust by rushing for 65 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run. Meanwhile, the competition has been tough for the Hunter 2.0 status and guess what? He grabbed it.  

Isaiah Hardge’s race to becoming Travis Hunter 2.0 

The Buffs’ hunt for finding Hunter’s replacement started pretty early. To earn himself a place, 4-star safety prospect Alex Graham had verbally committed to the Buffaloes back in April. And he did tick off some checkboxes essential for any athlete who is going be Hunter’s successor. Graham has been the No.31 cornerback nationally from IMG Academy. Forget ranks, he had this one USP that would have landed him an easy pass to Hunter’s seat- the power of playing both ways.

Not just Graham. Hardge faced yet another heavy-weight competitor, Malakai “Hollywood” Murphy. The athlete rose to fame and had been in Deion’s radar ever since he helped Bradford to a 14-1 record last season. But somewhere, it was Hardge who accomplished in wooing Coach Prime game.   

Right after the spring practice, Deion Sanders waited no longer to hype the hero. He threw light on his growth, “Isaiah is an athlete. This is a kid who came a receiver, flipped over to defensive back because we were desolate at that position. He went back and blessed us and played running back for us and got it done… I love the young man. I really do… I love what he brings to the table, offensively or defensively.” Looks like Travis Hunter is on the verge of getting replaced in Deion Sanders’ list of favorites.