Rolijah Hardy LB Indiana |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #5 PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #5 | |
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
74.8 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
|
88% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
72% |
| Run Defense: |
|
87% |
| Coverage: |
|
54% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#427
Position rank:
#43 (LB)
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1412 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Karene Reid - Utah |
|
82% |
| Easton Gibbs - Wyoming |
|
74% |
| SirVocea Dennis - Pittsburgh |
|
72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Rolijah Hardy made 101 tackles as a senior at Lakeland High School in Florida, helping win the 2022 state title and earning Polk County Male Athlete of the Year. He was also a first-team all-state basketball player and lettered in track, and he spent 2023 at the Naval Academy Prep School.Hardy played in 13 games at Indiana in 2024, with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pick-six against Western Illinois. He started all 16 games for the national champions in 2025, leading the team with 102 tackles and adding 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks for second-team All-Big Ten.
Hardy has started again in 2026. He took an interception back for a touchdown in the 55-0 win over Howard, made eight tackles against Ohio State and had two sacks in the 13-6 overtime win at Michigan on 24 October.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Instinctive run defender who fills fast and finishes, with four missed tackles all season
- Two sacks in the overtime win at Michigan
- Scored on an interception return in the win over Howard
- Led the national champions in tackles in 2025 with 102
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Coverage is a real problem, allowing 32 catches on 37 targets
- Michigan completed all six passes thrown his way
- Light frame for an inside linebacker against pulling guards
- Average speed limits him when covering backs in space
- Has a year of eligibility left and may stay at Indiana
Scouting Report: Summary
Hardy is a productive, instinctive linebacker who has been a key part of Indiana's defense for two seasons. He reads runs quickly, finishes tackles and makes big plays, from his pick-six against Howard to his two sacks at Michigan.However, his coverage is a weakness, with 32 completions allowed on 37 targets this season. He lacks ideal bulk for the middle and is only an average athlete in space.
Overall, Hardy has the instincts and production of a reliable starter. He projects as a priority free agent if he declares, though another season in Bloomington could help him improve in coverage.
How other scouting services rate Rolijah Hardy (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
363.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
44.0
*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.
*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.