Kendrick Hardy takes in two instate visits

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.

It looks like he has parlayed that performance with a big time award.

"I was selected to the Army All-American game," added Kendrick Hardy. "I went down yesterday to take some pictures for the game in Hattiesburg on USM's campus."

Hardy's brother, Wayne, played for the Eagles and just recently graduated. Did Kendrick learn anything new about the Eagles during his afternoon visit?

"I did not know they had that new building, but most of the stuff I had already seen. I already knew pretty much everything there was to know about them because my brother played there."

What stands out about the Eagles?

"The confidence they have in their program."

Kendrick Hardy

On Saturday, Kendrick took his brother and father to Ole Miss for his second trip to the Oxford campus. How did his family like the University of Mississippi?

"They said they loved it. They like how they played in the scrimmage."

What was Kendrick's thoughts on Ole Miss?

"I loved it too. I like how much they run the ball and play as a team."

What all did the 2007 District Player of the Year do on his trip?

"I talked to all of the coaches but two. I liked how they were talking. They said they can turn me from a 4.4 (40 speed) into a 4.3 back. They said I would be their next Heisman candidate. That really caught my eye. I also did not know the campus that was that big. It was the biggest campus I have seen yet."

Kendrick's brother who played for the Eagles, just happens to be personal friends with one of the staff members at Ole Miss.

"Derrick Nix recruited my brother. They remained good friends even after Derrick left to Atlanta (Falcons). He told me that Coach Nix is a good guy and a person I can trust. He will not do me wrong or anything."

Hardy attended the Grove Bowl and came away with these observations.

"I looked at how the drills were done and how they were running the ball. They do a lot of catching drills for their running backs, and they do a lot of drills where they are trying to strip the ball from the tailback. Everybody tries to knock the ball out. They run it good. They have a real good running back, #25 (Cordera Eason). He ran it real good and scored on a couple of long TD's. But I think I can come in there and make an immediate impact. Their depth chart looks the best for me out of all of the schools I have looked at so far."

What stood out about Ole Miss?

"I just liked how friendly the coaches are at Ole Miss."

Other than Ole Miss and USM, where else has Hardy visited?

"I went to MSU's Spring game too."

How did it go?

"It was good. They ran the ball a couple of times. When they passed the ball; they mostly threw int's but their coaches seemed into it."

What new did Hardy learn about MSU during the visit that maybe he did not know from before?

"That was my first time there. I did not know the SEC schools would be that big. My momma told in the SEC, most all of them, would be like that."

What stood out about the Dogs?

"I just liked how nice they were to me and everybody else."

Does Hardy have a leader yet?

"I really do not have a leader yet. I liked all three schools I have seen so far."

It looks like there could be a fourth party get involved in Hardy's recruitment.

"Auburn just offered me. I want to go over there and check out their campus, but I do not know when I can do it."

What are Auburn's positives?

They have had some good backs come out there recently like Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown."

Anybody else out there that Hardy is not receiving much attention from that he would like to see start recruiting him harder?

"Yes sir, LSU and Florida. I like how LSU goes to the championship games, and I have always liked everything about Florida."

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