About

Isaiah Hardge is an all‑purpose playmaker for the University of Colorado Buffaloes, wearing jersey 17 and standing 5 feet 10 inches tall at roughly 160 pounds. Now a red‑shirt freshman, he has already logged snaps as a wide receiver, cornerback, running back, and special‑teams gunner—roles that showcase the “do‑everything” label head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders often uses to describe him. In 2024, Hardge appeared in 11 games, registering a 39‑yard reception from quarterback Shedeur Sanders, two end‑around carries, and 77 special‑teams snaps, plus a 43‑yard kickoff return against Kansas. Coach Prime says the South Floridian is “going to do some incredible things” as he settles into the slot‑receiver position this season.

Bios

Position:	Cornerback
Weight:	165
Hometown:	Hollywood, Fla.
Height:	5-10
Class:	Sophomore
High School:	St. Thomas Aquinas
Isaiah Hardge Net Worth	$500 Thousand

Before Fame

Hardge grew up in Hollywood, Florida, where backyard football was a year‑round ritual. He enrolled at powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale and contributed to back‑to‑back Florida 7A state championships. As a junior, he hauled in 22 passes for 355 yards and six touchdowns; as a senior, he improved to 26 catches for 380 yards and four scores while adding return‑game duties. National recruiting outlets tagged him a three‑star prospect and a top‑200 wide receiver in the 2023 class, attracting offers from several Big 12 and SEC programs before he committed to Colorado on April 20, 2022.

Trivia

• Swiss‑army skill set: Hardge has already played four positions in Boulder—wideout, defensive back, running back, and multiple special‑teams roles—earning a coveted gray practice jersey for two‑way contributors.
• Early highlight: His first career catch went for 39 yards against Oklahoma State in a 52‑0 Buffaloes win, one of three players to play both ways that day.
• “Florida Boy mentality:” On a 2025 podcast, he explained that mindset as “gritty, fast, and fearless,” a trait Coach Prime says he instantly recognized.
• Off‑field hobbies: An avid gamer, he streams on Twitch under “isaiahhardge,” posts TikTok clips, and proudly shows off his tattoo art (inked by @zaetatts) on Instagram.

Family Life

Athleticism runs deep in the Hardge household. Isaiah’s older brother, Ron Hardge III, is a veteran defensive back who has suited up for Illinois, Oregon State, and Colorado State. Their parents encouraged multi‑sport participation but stressed academics first—values Isaiah still cites in interviews when noting he has “never been late and never missed class,” echoing Coach Prime’s praise of his reliability. Though Colorado is more than 2,000 miles from South Florida, Hardge calls home daily, saying the check‑ins keep him grounded amid the altitude and spotlight of Boulder.

Associated With

Hardge’s college journey is intertwined with some of the game’s most recognizable figures. Deion Sanders recruited him for his versatility and now headlines every presser with glowing updates on Isaiah’s progress. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders delivered that memorable 39‑yard strike, while two‑way sensation Travis Hunter often shares practice reps and advice on balancing offensive and defensive playbooks. In spring drills, Hardge also ran routes opposite freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton, another Coach Prime favorite mentioned in the same breath during media sessions. With core pass‑catchers like Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. eyeing the NFL, teammates and coaches alike believe Isaiah Hardge is next in line to spark Colorado’s offense—and perhaps add a few surprise snaps on defense for good measure.