Coach Prime's Colorado football secondary added a "next-level talent" via the portal in Liberty defensive back Preston Hodges, says BuffsBeat's Josh Tolle -- who had not one doubt when discussing the incoming Flames transfer.
"Deion Sanders got a next-level talent to join the fight in Boulder," Tolle prefaced before saying, "Preston Hodge made it official by announcing he was headed to Colorado on Saturday.
"Hodge, a 6-foot, 195-pounder from Waxahachie, Texas, was unrated coming out of high school and went the JUCO route at Navarro. He excelled to the point of gathering three offers from Liberty, Eastern Kentucky, and Central Michigan. He spent two years with the Flames before joining Coach Prime in Boulder."
Hodge will have a season of eligibility remaining following the completion of his 2023 season; which concludes after his Flames take on the Oregon Ducks at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day.
Texas A&M wanted Colorado football commit for proven production
Aggies Wire's Cameron Ohnysty described Texas A&M's now-failed pursuit of Hodges as needing a proven producer during Mike Elko's first season.
"Needing more starting-caliber production to pair with Lee, Hodge, a Texas native, produced 48 tackles and two interceptions during his 2023 sophomore season, and stands at 5’11” and nearly 200 pounds," Ohnysty prefaced before saying, "While some still helmet scout, production is production, and the last thing the Aggies need is more inexperience and lack of size at one of the more vital positions on the field."
So, in essence, Colorado is getting a player that the actual new Texas A&M coach -- which, not shockingly based on what the man has repeatedly said about his future, is not Coach Prime despite incessant rumors it could be -- wanted as a sure-thing.
Sounds like a damn good get for Deion Sanders and Co.