UPDATE: Tracy Porter drafted 40th overall by Saints, James Hardy slides to 41st to Bills
The NFL Draft takes place later today. For many Hoosiers, one of the most anticipated picks will be that of James Hardy, who led the Big Ten in receiving yards during the 2007 season.
There are plenty of whispers circulating throughout the online mock draft crowd that have Hardy going in the first round. Of course, it's all hearsay, but no one's more qualified on the subject than IU's wide receiver coach Billy Lynch. We spoke to Lynch to get his thoughts on the draft:
Have you spoken to Hardy lately? What were his thoughts about the draft today?
Billy Lynch: “You know, he’s definitely excited and obviously very eager. He just wants to find out where he’s going, and he’s ready to get to work. He’s been working hard for this day for a long time. So, he’s definitely excited, but he’s more eager to find out where he’s going and get ready to get going.”
How did Hardy come from being a red-shirt freshman to leading the Big Ten in receiving yardage? Where did everything kick in?
BL: “Well I think the main thing is, from the moment I got him, his goal has been to get to this day. The biggest thing is, he has done nothing but work extremely hard to put himself in the position to be sitting there waiting for his name to get called today. I think the biggest thing is just good old fashioned hard work.”
How did his teammates, specifically Walker-Roby, Bailey and Marcus, play a role in developing him to be the player he is today?
BL: “You know, I think they have certainly helped just through being there. Obviously the more playmakers you’ve got the more attention it takes away from totally being out trying to stop him.
What’s the atmosphere like in the IU football camp right now?
BL: “Well, James is up in Fort Wayne with his family and friends waiting to find out where he’s going. He’s been on the move visiting the different teams, interviewing and all that, so really he hasn’t been around a whole lot. I know everybody at IU is extremely excited for him and Tracy and some of those other guys. So we’re just eager to find out where he’s going and obviously we’ll support him from back here in Bloomington.”
Any hopeful predictions as to where he’ll end up?
BL: “I got no idea. That’s what makes the draft interesting.”
More IUplanet coverage of Hardy:
http://iuplanet.com/forum/iuplanet-h...html#post34667
http://iuplanet.com/forum/iuplanet-h...-showings.html
Stay tuned to IUplanet throughout the day for more coverage on the Hoosiers in the NFL Draft. And don't forget to cover it yourself-- talk about it in the
IUplanet Football Forums!
IU Football Wide Receiver Coach Billy Lynch talks about James Hardy on Draft Day
Linear Mode
