Buffalo Bills pick CB Daequan Hardy in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Frank BodaniThe Buffalo Bills selected Penn State football cornerback Daequan Hardy with the 219th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Hardy was the 43rd and second-to-last pick of Saturday's sixth round in Detroit.
He was the seventh Nittany Lion chosen overall in the draft and third of the day, following tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round and offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad in the fifth.
One of the smallest but most productive Nittany Lions. Hardy is versatility exemplified, earning 2023 All-Big Ten honors as a defensive back and punt returner despite missing the first two games of the season. He can play inside or outside as a cornerback; his special teams possibilities range from returning punts and kicks to serving as a "gunner" on coverage.
Here’s everything you need to know about Penn State's Hardy:
What you need to know about former Penn State CB Daequan Hardy
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-foot-9 | Weight: 180 pounds
High school: Penn Hills (Penn Hills, Pa.) | Hometown: Pittsburgh
College stats for Daequan Hardy
The first player in school history to return multiple punt returns for touchdowns in a single game (UMass, 2023). Led the Big Ten with a 14.6-yard return average (No. 6 nationally).
What kind of player is Daequan Hardy?
His versatility could give him a long look in the league despite his small stature and lack of top-end defensive back speed. Hardy owns promise as a slot defender despite struggling with recovery acceleration and speed when needed. His punt returning skills may be most intriguing, considering his natural feel and sudden rise last fall.
Daequan Hardy's best highlights at Penn State
After those record-breaking two punt returns for touchdowns vs. UMass, Hardy nearly made it three in three weeks. His 86-yard score against Indiana was called back by a penalty.
How did Daequan Hardy do at the NFL Draft Combine?
His NFL Combine numbers were sufficient but no more for his size and position: his 40-yard dash (4.38-seconds) to his vertical (42.5 inches) to his broad jump (10-feet, 6-inches).
Frank Bodani covers Penn State sports for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.