Daequan Hardy
Daequan Hardy  CB  Penn State | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Daequan Hardy
Height
5-9
Weight
179
College
Penn State
Position
CB
Class
Senior
Home town
Pittsburgh, PA
77.0/100
Player Rating
49
PositionRank (DB)
4.38
FortyYD Time
Interceptions
2
Interception YDS
34
Passes Defensed
7
Tackles
22
Sol tackles
12

Daequan Hardy CB Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Daequan Hardy CB Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Slot/Nickel Man/Press CB
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*)
Age: 23.3 DOB: 06/11/2001
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl
Measurables:
Height: 5-9 (10%*) Weight: 179 (7%*)
Hands: 8 1/8 (9%*) Arm: 30 (19%*) Span: 70 4/8 (24%*)
Forty: 4.38 (C) (88%*) Ten Yard: 1.50 (C) (87%*)
Vertical: 42.5 (C) (99%*) Broad: 126 (C) (76%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Slot/Nickel Man/Press CB
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*)
Age: 23.3 DOB: 06/11/2001
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-9 (10%*) Weight: 179 (7%*)
Hands: 8 1/8 (9%*) Arm: 30 (19%*)
Span: 70 4/8 (24%*)
Forty: 4.38 (C) (88%*)
10 Yard: 1.50 (C) (87%*)
Vertical: 42.5 (C) (99%*) Broad: 126 (C) (76%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 77.0 / 100
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
80%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 67.7
Tackling:
70%
Run Defense:
75%
Coverage:
65%
Zone:
64%
Man/Press:
67%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 7th
Overall Rank: #243 Position rank: #49
College Games: 47 College Snaps: 1137
Grade: 3 ESPN  Stars 3 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 74/100
College Combine Results
OVR Rank: #149 Pos Rank: #121 State Rank: #26
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 86 Stars 247 RATING: 86/100
Grade: 2 Stars 2 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Tiawan Mullen - Indiana
80%
Shaun Jolly - Appalachian State
79%
Damarri Mathis - Pittsburgh
78%
Buffalo Bills Drafted: ROUND: 6 - Pick Number: 219 (BUF)
Draft Profile: Bio
Daequan Hardy from Penn Hills High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Hardy opted to join Penn State.

In 2019 as a freshman Hardy saw action in just 2 games and played a total of 9 snaps at cornerback for the Nittany Lions. He recorded no tackles, no assists, while adding no stops. In coverage Hardy notched up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and an outstanding QB rating when targetted of .0.

As a sophomore in 2020 he played in 9 games and logged 186 snaps for the Nittany Lions. He made only 8 tackles, one assist, and had 4 stops. In coverage he totaled one pass breakup, no interceptions, and an unimpressive QB rating when targetted of 141.7.

In 2021 as a junior Hardy played in 13 games and contributed on 314 snaps. He chalked up 11 tackles, 3 assists, and added 9 stops. In the secondary Hardy forced 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and gave up an outstanding QB rating when targetted of 41.8.

In 2022 as a senior Hardy saw action in 12 games while playing 209 snaps. He logged 10 tackles, no assists, and made 4 stops. In coverage Hardy had 3 pass breakups, one interception, and surrendered an outstanding QB rating when targetted of 53.1.

In 2023 as a fifth year senior Hardy saw action in 11 games while playing 419 snaps. He logged 18 tackles, 6 assists, and made 7 stops. In coverage Hardy had 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and surrendered QB rating when targetted of 71.4.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Fast and agile, Hardy sticks to receivers and closes on the ball.
  • Does a good job getting his head around in time when playing with his back to the line of scrimmage. Has the ability to cover quickness underneath.
  • Has a nice, low backpedal and shows the click-and-close ability to play off his man. Hardy also has the good long speed to turn and run as a press coverage guy and the powerful hands to disrupt receivers early in the route
  • Shows the click-and-close ability to backpedal and the ball skills to make plays. Hardy has loose hips to go along with good top-end speed, and he can flip around to turn and run in coverage.
  • Can get up on the line of scrimmage and deliver a solid punch early in routes, then use that quickness to shadow, or back off and close quickly when the ball comes out
  • Trusts his eyes with very good awareness. Has very good reaction skills to break quickly on the ball.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Size is the biggest issue - he’s physical and capable in run support, but can Hardy deal with bigger receivers as a boundary corner? It would be a stretch.
  • Hardy overcomes his lack of bulk with a sharp jaw and fighter's approach but can be overmatched against NFL-caliber #1 receivers.
  • Is not an asset in run support, looking tentative and underpowered when stepping up against the run.

Daequan Hardy percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

Update - 04/21/2024
Hardy, standing just under 5-foot-9 and weighing 179 pounds, made a significant impact with his performance, starting with a leap that nearly touched the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium, registering a 42.5-inch vertical. He continued to impress by completing a 10-foot-6 broad jump and then demonstrated exceptional speed in the 40-yard dash, recording a blazing time of 4.38 seconds. Known primarily as a slot corner, Hardy's draft stock is undoubtedly on an upward trajectory.

How other scouting services rate Daequan Hardy (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
251.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
60.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.