JaQuan Hardy explained

JaQuan Hardy
Position:Running back
Birth Date:31 December 1997
Birth Place:East Cleveland, Ohio
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:225
High School:Westlake High School
College:Tiffin University (2016–2020)
Undraftedyear:2021
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • 2019 G-MAC Athlete of the Year
  • 2019 G-MAC First-team All-Conference
  • G-MAC Rushing Record (Tied)
Statlabel1:Rushing yards
Statvalue1:29
Statlabel2:Rushing average
Statvalue2:7.3
Statlabel3:Rushing touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Receptions
Statlabel5:Receiving yards
Statlabel6:Receiving touchdowns
Pfr:HardJa01
Cfl:jaquan-hardy/

JaQuan Hardy (born December 31, 1997) is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Tiffin University.

Early life

Hardy was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, on December 31, 1997, and attended Westlake High School, where he rushed for 1,800 yards, 23 touchdowns, and over 2,500 yards of total offense and received Second-team All-Ohio performer honors.[1]

College career

Hardy accepted a football scholarship from Division II Tiffin University.[1] As a true freshman, the former All-Ohio selection from Westlake High School contributed in 11 games as a reserve, rushing for 576 yards and 5 touchdowns.[1] In 2017, he led the Dragons in rushing as an 11-game starter: 1,077 yards and 8 touchdowns.

In 2018, he suffered a career-threatening knee injury, redshirting the 2018 season.[2] In 2019, he started all 11 games, rushing for 1,554 yards and 15 touchdowns which ranked third in Division II.[1] [2] He was named the 2019-20 Great Midwest Athletic Conference's Male Athlete of the Year, as well as first-team all-conference.[3] [2] His 1,554 rushing yards during his Junior season tied the Great Midwest Athletic Conference rushing record, establishing himself as one of the best players in Tiffin program history.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiffin did not play any football games in 2020.[2] He declared for the NFL Draft in 2021, instead of returning for a fifth year. He finished third in school history in rushing yards, third in touchdowns, fifth in rushing attempts, tied for eighth in points, and eighth in all-purpose yards.[4]

College statistics

Tiffin Dragons
SeasonGPRushingReceivingScrimmage
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD Touch Yds Avg TD
201611 90 576 6.4 5 10 41 4.1 2 100 617 6.2 7
201711 207 1,077 5.2 8 13 136 10.5 0 220 1,213 5.5 8
201911 204 1,554 7.6 15 15 107 7.1 1 219 1,661 7.6 16
Career 33 501 3,207 6.4 28 38 284 8.6 3 539 3,491 6.5 31

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Hardy was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2021 NFL draft.[5] [6] In the 2021 preseason, Hardy was featured as a part of the Hard Knocks television series on HBO.[7] He was waived on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad.[8] [9] Hardy was elevated in Week 14 and Week 15, to replace an injured Tony Pollard. He registered 3 rushing yards and a kick return for 15 yards against the Washington Football Team. He was demoted to the practice squad on December 29.

In Week 18 with the starters resting for the playoffs, Dallas would elevate Hardy for the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, where had 3 carries for 26 yards and a touchdown, helping the franchise set the NFL record with 22 different players scoring a touchdown in one regular season. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2022. He was waived on July 14, 2022.[10]

Denver Broncos

On August 10, 2022, Hardy signed with the Denver Broncos.[11] He was waived on August 29.[12]

BC Lions

On August 8, 2023, Hardy signed with the BC Lions practice roster.[13] He was released by the Lions on November 13, 2023, after playing two games on the active roster.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JaQuan Hardy . Tiffin University . 2 December 2021.
  2. Web site: JaQuan Hardy . NFL . 2 December 2021.
  3. Web site: Athletes of the Year . Great Midwest Athletic Conference . December 2, 2021.
  4. Web site: Reid . Jordan . 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB JaQuan Hardy . The Draft Network . December 2, 2021.
  5. Web site: Tiffin University’s JaQuan Hardy signs with Dallas Cowboys . TiffinOhio.net . December 1, 2021.
  6. Web site: Tiffin Athletics . Tiffin RB JaQuan Hardy Signs With Dallas Cowboys . The Great Midwest Athletic Conference . December 1, 2021.
  7. Web site: Piellucci . Mike . Hard Knocks’ Season With the Cowboys Has Concluded. Let’s Pay Homage to Its Dumbest Moment. . D Magazine . 2 December 2021.
  8. Web site: Cowboys Make 28 Moves; Roster Cut Down To 53. Phillips, Rob. DallasCowboys.com. August 31, 2021. July 14, 2022.
  9. Web site: QB Ben DiNucci Among Practice Squad Additions. Phillips, Rob. DallasCowboys.com. September 1, 2021. July 14, 2022.
  10. Web site: Cowboys Sign LB Malik Jefferson; Waive Backup RB . Eatman, Nick. DallasCowboys.com. July 14, 2022. July 14, 2022.
  11. Web site: Broncos sign Stevie Scott, JaQuan Hardy. Simmons, Myles. NBCSports.com. August 10, 2022. August 10, 2022.
  12. Web site: Broncos release P Sam Martin, make series of other roster moves. DiLalla, Aric. DenverBroncos.com. August 29, 2022.
  13. Web site: Transactions . bclions.com . May 23, 2024.