Justin Hardy
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{Distinguish|Justin Hardee}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Justin Hardy
| image = 2024, 02, Justin Hardy.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Hardy with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024
| current_team = Ottawa Redblacks
| number = 2
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|12|18}}
| birth_place = Washington, North Carolina, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 192
| death_date =
| death_place =
| high_school = West Craven
(Vanceboro, North Carolina)
| college = East Carolina (2010–2014)
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 107
| pastteams =
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Ottawa Redblacks ({{CFL Year|2022}}–present)
| status = Active
| cflstatus = American
| highlights =
- CFL All-Star ({{CFL Year|2024}})
- 2× CFL East All-Star (2023, {{CFL Year|2024}})
- Burlsworth Trophy (2014)
- First-team All-AAC (2014)
- 2× First-team All-C-USA (2012, 2013)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 95
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 946
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 9
| cflstatlabel1 = Targets
| cflstatvalue1 = 189
| cflstatlabel2 = Receptions
| cflstatvalue2 = 129
| cflstatlabel3 = Receiving yards
| cflstatvalue3 = 1425
| cflstatlabel4 = Receiving touchdowns
| cflstatvalue4 = 3
| cfl = justin-hardy/166421/
| pfr = HardJu00
}}
Justin Hardy (born December 18, 1991) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football at East Carolina. Hardy was the NCAA all-time reception leader until his former teammate Zay Jones overtook his record during the 2016 season.
Early life
Hardy attended West Craven High School in Vanceboro, North Carolina. As a senior on the football team, he played quarterback after previously being a wide receiver.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/09/19/4162538/decock-justin-hardy-embodies-the.html|title=DeCock: Justin Hardy embodies The ECU Way|access-date=October 5, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229163604/http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/09/19/4162538/decock-justin-hardy-embodies-the.html|url-status=dead}} That season, he passed for 2,500 yards and had 35 passing touchdowns. Hardy also picked two additional letters as a shooting and point guard in basketball and another in track as a high jumper (best of 6-4 or 1.93m).{{cite web|url=http://nc.milesplit.com/meets/72169/results/123406|title=NCHSAA 3A East Regional - Results (Raw)}}
College career
Hardy was redshirted as a freshman at East Carolina University in 2010, a season in which he walked on.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120814aab.html |title=Justin Hardy Named 2014 Burlsworth Trophy Winner |publisher=ECU Athletics |date=December 8, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209044550/http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120814aab.html |archive-date=December 9, 2014 }} After earning a scholarship in spring 2011, he started eight of 10 games in his redshirt freshman season in 2011, recording a school freshman record 64 receptions for 658 yards and six touchdowns.{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/nobowl/index.ssf/2012/12/east_carolina_sophomore_justin.html|title=East Carolina sophomore Justin Hardy turning heads at receiver}} As a sophomore in 2012 Hardy was an All-Conference USA first-team selection after recording 88 receptions for 1,105 yards and 11 touchdowns.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/09/10/3183538_ecu-football-justin-hardy-continues.html?rh=1|title=ECU receiver Justin Hardy rises through record book}} As a junior in 2013, Hardy was again first-team All-Conference USA after setting school records for receptions (114) and receiving yards (1,284) in a season.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Adam |date=April 12, 2014 |title=Football: ECU's Hardy closes final spring |url=https://www.newbernsj.com/sports/football-ecu-s-hardy-closes-final-spring/article_4f3f80d4-807c-5c1d-9031-ae2d7136c686.html |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=New Bern Sun Journal |language=en}} During the first game of his senior season in 2014, he set East Carolina's record for career receptions, passing Dwayne Harris' 268.{{cite web | title=East Carolina's Justin Hardy pulls off hat trick | website=Raleigh News & Observer | date=2014-08-31 | url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/aac/east-carolina-university/article10046537.html | access-date=2024-10-22}} On November 22, 2014, against Tulane, Hardy became the NCAA's all-time leading receptions leader, passing Ryan Broyles' 349.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/11920846/justin-hardy-east-carolina-pirates-sets-fbs-career-receptions-record|title=ECU's Hardy sets FBS career catches mark|date=November 22, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24830498/ecu-wr-justin-hardy-breaks-fbs-career-receiving-record|title=ECU WR Justin Hardy breaks FBS career receiving record}} On December 8, 2014, Hardy was named the winner of that season's Burlsworth Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player who began his college career as a walk-on. For the season, Hardy had 121 receptions for 1,494 yards and 10 touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-hardy-1/gamelog/2014/ |title=Justin Hardy 2014 Game Log |website=Sports Reference |language=en |access-date=January 1, 2018}}
Hardy finished his collegiate career with 387 receptions for 4,541 yards and 35 touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-hardy-1/gamelog/ |title=Justin Hardy Career Game Log |website=Sports Reference |language=en |access-date=December 25, 2017}}
=Statistics=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="16" style="background: #592A8A; border: 2px solid #FFC702; color:#FFC702;"| East Carolina Pirates | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Punt Return | ||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2010 | ECU
| colspan="14" | Redshirted File:Redshirt.svg | |||||||||||||
| 2011 | ECU
| 10 || 8 || 64 || 658 || 10.3 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2012 | ECU
| 13 || 12 || 88 || 1,105 || 12.6 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 20|| 175 || 8.8 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2013 | ECU
| 13 || 13 || 114 || 1,284 || 11.3 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 20 || 225 || 11.3 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | ECU
| 13 || 13 || 121 || 1,494 || 12.3 || 10 || 1 || 7 || 7.0 || 1 || 23 || 95 ||4.1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Career{{cite web |title=Justin Hardy |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-hardy-1.html |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |work=www.sports-reference.com |access-date=September 18, 2016}} | 49 | 46 | 387 | 4,541 | 11.7 | 35 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 1 | 63 | 495 | 7.9 | 0 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 1/4
| weight = 192
| dash = 4.56
| ten split = 1.57
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.21
| cone drill = 6.63
| vertical = 36.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 6
| bench = 11
| arm span = 32 1/8
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|title=Justin Hardy Draft and Combine Prospect Profile|url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/justin-hardy/32004841-5211-1877-e1fe-326c6e4b66eb|work=NFL.com|access-date=September 19, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Scout Justin Hardy College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=108193&DraftYear=2015 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
Hardy was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round (107th overall) in the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=McClure |first=Vaughn |date=2015-05-02 |title=Total breakdown: Falcons draft WR Justin Hardy in fourth round |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/13094/total-breakdown-falcons-draft-wr-justin-hardy-in-fourth-round |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} In his rookie season, Hardy played in nine games, catching 21 passes for 194 yards.[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardJu00.htm Justin Hardy]. pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016. In Week 2 of the 2016 season, against the Oakland Raiders, Hardy scored his first career touchdown when he caught a deflected pass from Matt Ryan in the end zone.McClure, Vaughn. [https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/22561/falcons-prove-they-are-not-allergic-to-red-zone-in-road-win Falcons work through their red zone struggles on road in win over Raiders]. ESPN.com September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016. In the 2016 season, he had 21 receptions for 203 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardJu00/gamelog/2016/ |title=Justin Hardy 2016 Game Log |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |access-date=January 1, 2018}} Hardy and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots. In the Super Bowl, Hardy had two kickoff returns for 17 total yards as the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm|title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=August 6, 2017}} In the 2017 season, Hardy recorded 20 receptions for 221 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardJu00/gamelog/2017/ |title=Justin Hardy 2017 Game Log |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |access-date=January 1, 2018}} On March 21, 2019, Hardy re-signed with the Falcons.{{cite web|title=Falcons agree to terms with Justin Hardy|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-agree-to-terms-with-justin-hardy|author=McFadden, Will|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=March 21, 2019}} During the 2019 season, Hardy caught 19 passes for 195 yards.
=Chicago Bears=
On July 27, 2021, Hardy signed with the Chicago Bears.{{cite web|title=Bears sign wide outs Justin Hardy and Jon'Vea Johnson, waive two|url=https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2021/7/27/22596980/chicago-bears-sign-former-atlanta-falcons-wide-receiver-justin-hardy-2021-nfl-free-agency|work=Windy City Gridiron|publisher=SB Nation|date=July 27, 2021}} He was released on August 17, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Desai |first=Aalap |date=August 17, 2021 |title=Bears Roster Cuts Update; Roster Trim Down Deadlines |url=https://ontapsportsnet.com/2021/08/17/chicago-bears-roster-cuts-update-nfl-roster-trim-down-deadlines/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |website=On Tap Sports Net |language=en-US}}
= Ottawa Redblacks =
On March 18, 2022, Hardy signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).{{Cite web |agency=The Canadian Press |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Ex-Falcons WR Hardy among three Americans signed by Redblacks - TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/justin-hardy-ottawa-redblacks-1.1772792 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |website=TSN |language=en}}
In 2023, Hardy enjoyed a break-out season with the Redblacks, catching 85 passes for 1,009 yards 3 touchdowns, and was selected as a CFL East Division All-Star. In February 2024, his contract with the Redblacks was extended.{{Cite web |title=REDBLACKS extend East Division All-Star Justin Hardy - CFL.ca |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2024/02/05/redblacks-extend-east-division-all-star-justin-hardy/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |website=cfl.ca|date=February 5, 2024 }}
Career statistics
NFL
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | |||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
| 2015 | ATL
| 9 || 1 || 21 || 194 || 9.2 || 23 || 0 | ||||||
| 2016 | ATL
| 16 || 3 || 21 || 203 || 9.7 || 27 || 4 | ||||||
| 2017 | ATL
| 16 || 1 || 20 || 221 || 11.1 || 27 || 3 | ||||||
| 2018 | ATL
| 16 || 0 || 14 || 133 || 9.5 || 19 || 2 | ||||||
| 2019 | ATL
| 16 || 1 || 19 || 195 || 10.3 || 23 || 0 | ||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HardJu00.htm Career] | 73 | 6 | 95 | 946 | 10.0 | 27 | 9 |
CFL
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | |||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | |
| 2022 | OTT
| 7 || 7 || 44 || 416 || 9.5 || 35 || 0 | ||||||
| 2023 | OTT
| 18 || 18 || 85 || 1,009 || 11.9 || 54 || 3 | ||||||
| 2024 | OTT
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 97 || 1,343 || 13.9 || 68 || 5 | ||||||
| 2025 | OTT
| 1 || 1 || 8 || 133 || 16.6 || 27 || 1 | ||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.cfl.ca/players/justin-hardy/166421/ Career] | 42 | 42 | 234 | 2,901 | 12.4 | 68 | 9 |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|Justin Hardy}}
- [http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/justin_hardy_714361.html East Carolina Pirates bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074245/http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/justin_hardy_714361.html |date=October 6, 2014 }}
- {{Twitter|FreakMagic2}}
{{Ottawa Redblacks roster navbox}}
{{Burlsworth Trophy}}
{{Atlanta Falcons 2015 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hardy, Justin}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:East Carolina Pirates football players
Category:People from Craven County, North Carolina
Category:Players of American football from North Carolina
Category:Ottawa Redblacks players