Preston Hodge is taking advantage of a second chance at a senior season.

The Colorado cornerback announced Friday that he will return for the 2025 season.

A recent waiver by the NCAA has granted players who would have exhausted their eligibility this year, but who spent time in junior college, an extra year of eligibility.

Hodge, who transferred to CU last offseason from Liberty, began his college career at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, making him eligible for the waiver.

The only other player from the 2024 Buffs’ roster who could use that waiver is tackle Phillip Houston. He has yet to announce his intentions for next year, though.

CU’s starting nickel back this season, Hodge recorded 33 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups in nine games, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention. He was injured late in the Buffs’ 41-27 win at Texas Tech on Nov. 9, however, and did not play in the final four games.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Hodge was a key part of a defense that helped CU go 9-4 and reach the Valero Alamo Bowl this season.

Prior to coming to CU, Hodge played two seasons at Liberty, starting 10 of the 25 games he played with the Flames. In 2023, he had 48 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups in helping Liberty to a 13-0 regular season. He had 12 tackles in a reserve role in 2022.

At Navarro in 2021, he had 32 tackles and two interceptions.

With Hodge returning, the Buffs expect to have an experienced secondary once again in 2025. Although Heisman Trophy-winning cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter is heading to the NFL, the Buffs return full-time starters Hodge and DJ McKinney at cornerback.

Colton Hood, who played 332 snaps on defense in a reserve role, also returns, as does freshman Isaiah Hardge.