The 6' 0", 205 pound bruising tailback
with deceptive speed rushed for over 2, 100 yards and 29 TD's on only 175 rushes
last year.
"When I see a hole, I hit it is hard as I can and run as
hard as I can," stated a very humble Kendrick Hardy. "I just try to
play very physical and run north and south. I do not try to around you much, I
like to run through you."
Kendrick was named the District 6(4A) Player
of the Year and was named to the 2nd Team All-State squad for his on the field
accomplishments.
"I play both RB and LB, but I like running back better.
I have actually been starting at linebacker since my 4th game of my freshman season,
and I took over at tailback last year."
Football is no stranger to
the Hardy family as Kendrick's older brother, Wayne Hardy, is a current linebacker
for Southern Mississippi.
"Wayne (Hardy) has always been a big role
model for me. He makes good grades, stays out of trouble, and works hard off of
the field. I try to be like him in more ways than one."
Could little
brother follow big brother to the next level?
"I do not know. It is
mostly Ole Miss and MSU right now. I have not heard too much from USM."
In
fact, the two SEC programs in the Magnolia state have already offered.
"Yes
sir, Ole Miss actually offered me last week. Coach Nutt called my coach, and we
called him back at school. He told me that he watched my film, and that he was
going to really recruit me hard. He told me that he had sent my offer in the mail.
I got it a couple of days later."
Hardy is not very familiar with
coach Nutt other than he coached Darren McFadden.
"Yea, I know about
McFadden. He is the best back in football as far as I am concerned, but I do not
know much about Coach Nutt other than he coached him. Maybe he can get me on McFadden's
level. That would be nice."
How did Kendrick learn about his scholarship
offer from MSU?
"My coach sent them some film, and Coach Felker called
my coach, and we called him back. He told me they offered me a full scholarship.
He told me that the offer was in the mail, and a few days letter, I got the letter
stating that I had a full scholarship."
What are Hardy's thoughts
on MSU?
"I do not know too much about them, but I know they are pretty
good. They won their bowl game this year so they have to be pretty good."
Kendrick got invited to a couple of Jr Days but something more important
came up.
"I had two offers to Ole Miss and MSU, but I can't make it
because I had a death in the family. I am going to try and make it to both of
their football camps this summer though."
Hardy will get a chance
to showcase his talents at the Scout.com combine that will be held in New Orleans in April.
"I am really looking forward to it. I know there
are going to be a lot of good players there. I want to see how I stack up."
What
is Kendrick working on in the offseason?
"I just want to get stronger
(250 bench/350 squad) and faster (reports a 4.5 forty). Really, the same things
all running backs are working on."
While Kendrick is not very familiar
with any of the college programs, up to this point, he does know what he wants
in a college.
"I want them to have a good program, and I want them
to run the ball (laugh). I guess that is being a little selfish, but I believe
good things happen when the ball is in my hands."
Who could argue?
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