Tennessee’s not done building for 2026 just yet. Even with the transfer portal closed for new entries, the Vols are still working the phones and hosting visits - and their latest target is a versatile athlete who could help on both sides of the ball and in the return game.
Isaiah Hardge, a redshirt sophomore out of Colorado, is currently on a visit to Knoxville. He’s got two years of eligibility left and brings a unique skill set that could plug multiple gaps on Tennessee’s roster.
At Colorado, Hardge split time between wide receiver and cornerback - a rare two-way contributor in today’s game. In 2025, he logged 68 snaps in the slot on offense, finishing with five catches for 37 yards and one carry. On the defensive side, he saw 97 snaps at corner, primarily in matchups against Arizona State and Kansas State, and recorded 14 tackles on the year.
He also brings some juice in the return game - an area where Tennessee has an opening. Back in 2024, as a redshirt freshman, Hardge returned a punt for 17 yards and a kickoff for 43.
That season, he appeared in 11 games, including the final 10, and was one of just three Colorado players to see action on both sides of the ball. Notably, he shared that distinction with Travis Hunter, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
Hardge first arrived at Colorado as a consensus three-star recruit out of high school, primarily viewed as a receiver. He redshirted in 2023 after appearing in just three games.
Now, if he ends up choosing Tennessee, the big question becomes: where does he fit?
Josh Heupel’s offense already features one of the most promising young slot receivers in the SEC. Braylon Staley, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, is back in Knoxville after signing a new deal, and he rarely came off the field last season. But depth behind him is thin, and that’s where Hardge could potentially carve out a role - especially given his experience in the slot.
On defense, Hardge could be a rotational piece in Jim Knowles’ first year as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. The Vols have added talent to the secondary this offseason, including Auburn transfer Kayin Lee and returner Ty Redmond. Hardge’s athleticism and ability to play in space could make him a valuable depth piece at corner, particularly in nickel or dime packages.
And then there’s special teams - an area where Tennessee hasn’t quite found a consistent answer. Hardge’s experience returning both punts and kicks gives him another avenue to contribute right away.
Tennessee has dabbled with two-way players before under Heupel. Dee Williams and Boo Carter were both given opportunities to play on both sides of the ball, but neither situation panned out.
Williams tried to learn the offense late in the year, while Carter’s off-field issues sidelined his offensive reps. Salesi Moa was recruited as a two-way player, but he flipped to Utah and later transferred to Michigan.
Hardge could be different. He’s already proven he can handle the demands of playing both ways at the Power Five level. If Tennessee lands him, they’re not just adding depth - they’re adding flexibility, and in today’s game, that kind of versatility is gold.