For two years in a row, C.J. Coldon's promising season has come to a premature end because of injury.

One season-ending injury is tough enough to overcome.  But two might be enough for a lot of guys to let football go and concentrate on school, and a degree.

That was never in the cards for Coldon, Wyoming's junior starting cornerback and leader of the secondary.

"I never doubted that I would play again, and I never doubted myself," he says.  "I just concentrated on working as hard as I could doing the things I needed to do so I could to come back and be the same as I was."

In 2018, Coldon started three games for the Pokes before being lost for the season.  In 2019 the same thing happened.  He started in Wyoming's first three games and then was lost for the year.  That injury required knee surgery.

"I had never had a significant injury before like I had the last two years," he says. "So it was difficult for me.  But sitting out made me appreciate the game more, and I think made me a better leader. Of course you want to be out there with your teammates, helping the team get better.  I couldn't do that so I had to find other ways. That's where the mental stage came in. I worked hard to be a leader even though I wasn't playing. Everything happens for a reason, and the injuries made me mentally stronger.  I know this, I love playing football, and I'm so happy to be back."

Along with Azizi Hearn, C.J. will be starting at corner when Wyoming takes the field for Saturday night's (5 p.m. mountain) season-opener at Nevada, the first of eight games scheduled for this shortened season.

He admits he's biased, but C.J. (which stands for Charles Junior) believes that cornerback is the most difficult position on the field.  "There's so much technique involved, and you really have to understand what's going on with everyone's position.  The 'Island' is the toughest in my mind.  You also better have a short memory."

What type of receiver is the toughest to cover?

"For me, it's the big-body guys. Not only do you have to have good coverage, but you have to get around them. You definitely get better when you have to deal with that kind of experience."

A lot has happened since Coldon missed 10 games of the 2019 season.  There was no spring football, there were three new coaches added to the defensive staff, the season was cancelled, and then rescheduled.

But its' finally here.

"I'm super excited," C.J. admits. "I have that feeling that you get when you are about to do something that you really love, and I love playing football. I was so excited when they first announced that we would have a season initially, then felt so bad when it looked like they were going to move the season to the spring or not have it at all.  Hated to have it happen like it did.  But we're getting back to it and that's the exciting thing."

Coldon feels good about the Cowboy defense even though many would say it isn't the same without guys like Logan Wilson, Cassh Maluia and Tyler Hall.

"We have got guys willing to step up in those spots," he says. "There's no doubt they played big roles for us.  But we will be okay, we learned a lot from those guys.  For me, I learned a lot from Tyler.  I learned about technique, the game itself and about life.  I know Chad (Muma) learned a lot from Logan.  That's how it goes, you lose good players every year.  They are big shoes to fill, but we will be okay."

C.J. still talks to Hall at least once a week.  "We either phone or text pretty often," he says.  "I know he's back on the active roster, and I'm really rooting for him to make a way for himself.  He has been a great help to me."

Coldon is majoring in American Studies, and would like to utilize that broad major to concentrate on fashion.  "I'd like to design clothes," he says, "maybe street ware.  I have a lot of thoughts, and when I have spare time I like to sketch ideas.  I don't have a name for it yet, but I'm working on it."

While he enjoys spending time with friends when he's not studying or involved with football, C.J. admits he enjoys being alone, and having his own space.  "Besides sketching, I really enjoy watching documentaries.  I saw one on Derrick Rose (NBA guard) and how he dealt with his injury.  That helped me deal with mine.  I also like watching YouTube, and studying how other guys play my position.  I like watching matchups in college and the NFL. I think it helps me get just a little bit better." 

In high school Coldon was an outstanding football and basketball player.  While he really enjoyed playing hoops, football was his game. He was an All-State wide receiver, and also played defensive back at Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Ill. His home town is actually Cahokie in East St. Louis, which is less than 30 minutes from Belleville.

CJ's dad (Charles) played football at Fisk University (Nashville, Tenn.) where he was a wide receiver.  He later played safety. "I took the same path as my dad.  He moved to the secondary after being a wide receiver."

While he had a great time playing wide receiver, Coldon felt like the secondary would be his ticket to college.  "I felt that Wyoming was the best fit for me, and I really appreciated their loyalty to me.  When I came I didn't know much about secondary play, I had always used athleticism in high school.  But it didn't take me long to figure out how much technique was involved.  I owe Rich (former cornerbacks coach John Richardson) a great deal.  He taught me so much, and really molded me into a more polished player. I'm still learning a lot, and working hard to grow in the position."

C.J. wears number 21 on his Cowboy uniform, and has had that number since he was in peewee football.  "My dad asked me which number I wanted to wear," he says.  "As a little guy I was a running back and really loved LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers' running back), so I picked 21.  I've had it ever since.  When I played defensive back, I kept it because of Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson, guys I liked watching play in the secondary. It's a good number."

Coldon has certainly worn it well for the Brown and Gold!