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SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: Hardy has the perfect size for his position. At 6’4” and 265, he has the ability to use his speed to go around defenders and his size to go straight through them. He is considered one of the top returning defensive ends in 2009.

Cons: Last season he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot during preseason practice that required surgery, causing him to miss the team’s first three games. In 2007 he was suspended for two games for violating team rules. Hardy would like to show that he can go a full season as a starter and not get injured, which will likely serve as extra motivation.

Skinny: Hardy’s career at Ole Miss has been anything but normal. This past winter there was much speculation that he would enter his name into the 2009 NFL Draft, but Hardy ultimately made the decision to return for his senior season. He only appeared in nine games in 2008, but still managed to record 18 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception, and a pass breakup. His 8.5 sacks were good enough to rank him third in the SEC in that category and he only played nine games (no starts). In 2007 he was tops in the SEC and ranked sixth nationally in sacks with 10. He also was ranked second in the SEC and fourth in the nation in tackles for loss with 18.5. With his incredible athletic ability and intensity, he should be putting up gaudy numbers in 2009.

Stock: If Hardy can remain healthy, he can be a dominant pass rusher. He possesses all of the qualities a team could want in a defensive end—he has good size at 6-4 265, a great first step when he is rushing the passer, and is solid against the run. One scout we talked to told us that Hardy would have been the best 4-3 defensive end in this past April’s draft if he had declared.

NEWS

Shrine Stock Riser: Greg Hardy (DE) - The most gifted defensive lineman on the field was relentless with his quickness and lightning-fast first step that caught tackles off guard. Hardy uses his footwork to set up his opponent and elude him to the outside.

12.28.09 - Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy, who has missed the team’s past four games because of a fractured wrist, has been cleared to play in the Cotton Bowl. Hardy, a senior, has 26.5 career sacks, including five this season. Nutt said Sunday that Hardy has looked "the best he’s been all year" during bowl workouts and projects to play "a whole lot" against Oklahoma State. "I feel like a new person. I’m rejuvenated," said Hardy, who also allowed an ankle injury to heal during his four-game absence. - Star Telegram

11.11.09 - Mississippi senior DE Greg Hardy will be sidelined the remainder of the season after a left wrist injury he suffered earlier in the season was re-aggravated last week against Northern Arizona, with X-rays revealing a fracture. He finished his Rebels career with 26½ sacks.

01.15.09 - Hardy announced that he would pass up potential riches and return to Ole Miss for his senior season after meeting with coach Houston Nutt. Slowed by injuries throughout his junior season, Hardy opted for another year of preparation at the college level. "Professional football is a goal every college player strives to reach," Hardy said in a statement released by Ole Miss, "but I feel it is in my best interest to return to school. My parents support my decision, and I know my mom wants me to graduate from Ole Miss."

12.26.08 - There is no doubt that Greg Hardy is a talent. He received several honors following his freshman season in 2006 after posting three sacks, five tackles for loss, forcing four fumbles and finishing fifth on the team in tackles. Plus he added a touchdown reception. He earned All-SEC honors in 2007 after leading the SEC with 10 sacks and notching 18.5 tackles for loss. In addition, he scored a pair of touchdowns on pass receptions last year. Hardy began the season with his name on the Nagurski, Hendricks and Bednarik watch lists, but the 2008 season hasn't been as productive as for Hardy. He missed the first three games of the season after having surgery to correct a stress fracture in his right foot. The sore foot also caused him to miss the Auburn game. Despite the problems, Hardy leads Ole Miss with 8.5 sacks and also has 9.5 tackles for loss. Unfortunately, there is also a downside with Hardy. He was suspended for two games in 2007 by then coach Ed Orgeron. He was also pulled out of the South Carolina game this season for a lack of effort. So while Hardy has all the talent to be a first round pick, possible character issues could potentially hurt him.

VITALS

Medical Examiner: He suffered a stress fracture in his foot in 2008 which caused him to undergo two surgeries. He missed several games last season because of the injury.

Honor Roll: In 2008 he was named third-team All-America by Rivals.com and second-team All-SEC by the coaches. He was named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America second-team and first-team All-SEC by the coaches and Associated Press in 2007. As a freshman he received Freshman All-America accolades from several publications.

High School: Hardy attended Briarcrest Christian High School in Tennessee where he was named to the SuperPrep All-Dixie team and was an All-State member. As a senior he totaled 65 tackles, 12 for loss, and six sacks. He also caught 48 passes for 268 yards at the wide receiver position. In 2004 he helped his team to the state championship.

Personal: Hardy is majoring in art. His father was a defensive end at Ole Miss in 1986 and 1987.

Bio