Kendrick Hardy left Tennessee a committed prospect – just not to the school the Vols were hoping for.
The 6-foot, 210-pound tailback from Lawrence County High School in Monticello, Miss., said he’s still committed to Southern Miss after his official visit to UT last weekend.
“I’m still committed to them, but we’re just going to have to make some hard decisions,” Hardy told the News Sentinel.
Hardy committed to Southern Miss on Jan. 17 after receiving scholarship offers from UT, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Oregon among others.
“I’m probably just going to wait until signing day (on Feb. 4 to announce a decision),” Hardy said. “It all depends on how things go. My parents and I are going to think about it and talk about it.”
Hardy is still somewhat open despite his verbal pledge to Southern Miss. He’ll visit Mississippi State this weekend.
UT head coach Lane Kiffin is scheduled to be in Monticello on Thursday to visit Hardy, who said he was pleased with his trip to Knoxville.
“It went well,” Hardy said. “They have a good program up there.”
Hardy said he spent much of his time at UT visiting with Kiffin.
“He told me about when they watched my film they liked how I run the ball with enthusiasm,” Hardy said, recalling the Kiffin conversation. “Like nobody could stop me. We talked about academics and taking care of that.”
UT running backs coach Frank Wilson has some insight into the situation. Wilson was the running backs coach at Southern Miss when it began recruiting Hardy.
“We have a good relationship,” Hardy said. “Even though he left Southern Miss, I still look up to him.”
Josh Ward contributed to this report.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 52
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
sounds like a great prospect but a reach to land him. i still think creer has a great chance to become an oustanding rb at ut
notoriousBIGorange writes:
I agree. Don't really think we have a glaring need at RB.
Gchild writes:
Does anyone know if we have offered a scholarship to Eddie Lacy. He has us listed as one of his 3 finalist but Inside Tennessee says we haven't even offered him. Anyone know?
On another note, we are absolutely loaded at LB. With the guys coming back who, for the most part, played decent last year. And with Askew, Walls, Shackleford, and possibly a surprise like Tana Patrick, not to mention Chris Donald another 5* who hasn't seen the field. We are Line Backer U in the SEC. Or so it would seem.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Agreed Awhill and UTfan4..well done.
Gchild writes:
I like Creer alrigt but I would like to get another shorter, shiftier guy in there like old school Charlie Garner and Little Man Stewart. I think backs under 6 foot are more effective, not to mention that they seem not to take as many big hits. Thats why I mentioned Eddie Lacy. He looks like a bull. And hopefully Oku will be the homerun threat to go along with a pile mover. Lacy and Oku would be nice. Or this Hardy kid and Oku.
DingoVol writes:
"We talked about academics and taking care of that".... Is he a quailifier? Maybe I am reading something into this statement that I misunderstood.
Gchild writes:
Thanks for the info AWHILL
DingoVol writes:
Little Man is kind of like when the fat guy in town is called "Tiny". He was neither short nor shifty. But I agree with your thoughts on the type of back you like. I have never seen a back hit the hole as hard as Charlie Garner. He was at full speed in 3 steps. I loved to watch him run.
Gchild writes:
Forgot to mention Gerald Williams, aka the invisible man from 2008. He was all the hype in the offseason trying to get him eligible and all and that was it. Special Teams was about all you saw from him.
Gchild writes:
Agreed. I was referring to the one two punch they brought. You are right, "Little Man" was by no means little.
tripper writes:
Can never have enough RBs. This guy is 6'0" 210 lbs and will absolutely run over you. Rushed for over 2000 yards in his Jr. year. Doesn't mess around, hits the hole fast and is definitely a North/South runner. Would be an absolute steal if we could get this guy considering we only have signed two RBs, Williams and Oku (soft verbal). Simon, Richardson and Lacy are hopefully coming this weekend but don't expect much. So, Hardy is even that more important considering the Oku situation.
FWBVol writes:
Don't forget about the third member of that 3-headed monster, Aaron Hayden. Garner, Stewart and Hayden became the first trio of UT backs that played at the same time with each rushing for more than 2,000 yards in their careers. Lewis, Henry and Stephens matched the feat.
The point is you can never have too many good running backs. Dominique Stevenson also came in with Stephens, Lewis and Henry as a tailback, but had to move to linebacker.
Billy Ratliff was recruited as a linebacker and ended up at DT, so I'm not worried about having too many LBs or RBs. Those are the guys that usually have a combination of size and speed to help a football team at several positions if they get beat out at their first spot.
FWBVol writes:
This seems as if it would be a no brainer for most people, Tennessee and the SEC or Southern Miss and Conference USA. I like our chances on getting him.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I agree with that statement, but Southern Miss usually has some pretty decent athletes. I wouldn't be shocked if he goes there.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Does anybody think that Oku's current status is the reason we are making a late push for this guy? Hope not. Hope we sign both of these guys.
Go Vols. Reel 'em in Coach.
tripper writes:
DeAndre Brown.
Jamey1210 writes:
why don't any of you all mention geral williams. The man is a hoss. I think he will end up being a great at tennessee. he is a machine. Just wait till Coach EO gets him some redbull. I would be scared but then again I am 6 foot 180
tripper writes:
No. I think it has more to do with the fact that Hardesty will be a senior and Creer and Poole are really unproven. We only have two RB commits and I doubt we will get Richardson, Lacy or Simon. And he's a hell of a back.
tripper writes:
Because this is an article about Kendrick Hardy and he is a running back.
movol53 writes:
It would seem to me that we are signing all these RB's for a reason. To help develop a QB!!!! If we can run the ball; Chaney(?) states it is a priority; then we can take the pressure off a current QB and some new QB next year. Makes since to me. Run the ball; as we develop a QB. Hmmm, remember Tee Martin, he did not throw much at the beginning of '98 but by the end of the season he was deadly. Just my thoughts, also we are getting more DB's
maybe the coaches are afraid they will "wear themselves out" playing the cover 2 and the coaches want enough DB's to have plenty to rotate into the game. Fresh legs every few plays are a great help.
FWBVol writes:
I agree with your statement. They had some QB that has done OK in the NFL LOL. The thing is while USM gets the great one occasionally, most of the guys that go to Southern are borderline SEC/ACC type guys on paper. I have cousins that live in Mississippi and graduated from Southern Miss. In fact, although I grew up in Florida, I almost went to Southern Miss. My best friend was being recruited by Southern and when he decided to go to Auburn, I knew I had to go to Tennessee. That was more than 30 years ago, and we are still best friends despite his poor choice in a college.
Gchild writes:
Why do you think we dont have as good of a chance with Lacy? Richardson I can see, he is Bama bound. Do you know something I don't about the Lacy kid?
Gchild writes:
I totally agree with what MoVol said about running the ball to improve our QB play. I think the main focus for the remainder of this class has to be another RB or 2, Pearly Graves, and Sam Montgomery. I hate to say it, but that was Saban's recipe for their success last year which came a year or 2 earlier than most predicted. D-line and running the football.
Volinsider writes:
I thought Wilson was coaching WR's and Eddie Gran has the RB's. Did anybody notice that or has something changed since the staff completion a few days ago? Did I miss something or did Hooker goof?
GOBIGO72 writes:
He mentions getting his grades together, perhaps he doesn't meet the academic requirements, thus Southern Miss.
StroVol writes:
Folks we are going to get some of these recruits that have previously put a verbal commitment elsewhere. Think about it, you commit somewhere else on Feb.4, not now or before. What recruit wants the headache of explaining himself. After Feb.4 the process is over!
GREATVOLSAFIRE writes:
I was just on scouts site, we are ranked 13 up from 21. were making progress, keep up the good work coaches and we might get into the top 5
MrKnoxville writes:
A little bird from the Strength & Conditioning Dept. told me CLK has his OL running until they throw their guts up into buckets...told'em that they're fat and lazy and WAY OUT OF SHAPE...no weights just run Forrest run is the mentality up there right now LOL!
GreerVol22 writes:
I respectfully disagree. We have glaring needs at every position...except for Eric Berry. Feel free to insert your favorite Chuck Norris joke and insert Berry's name.
SemperVol writes:
Now that the staff is visiting Janzen Jackson this week, we can maybe officially pi55 off Les Miles, too....
Which would fret me none... Miles is a Mook.
dmjohn2#576066 writes:
I posted this on the Teague article to, a little positive news on Marlon Brown visiting Tennessee this weekend.
"I cannot wait," Bown said with enthusiasm. "I don't know what to expect this weekend. It's a new coaching staff so I don't know to be honest. It's my last visit and it's the last time I'll be a high school athlete visiting a school. I'm from Memphis so I have natural ties to Tennessee. I'm really looking forward to it."
SemperVol writes:
Press on, tubby, press on!
Mark Smith was a great hire.
SemperVol writes:
Excellent point. He is taking two more visits.
Eddie Lacy, Kendrick Hardy, Bryce Brown... maybe a few more for this weekend we have yet to hear about.
Of course... running backs are just great athletes to have on a team... always a spot for an agile back.
Go4Two writes:
Also might be the guy that can pick up a 3rd and 1
Go4Two writes:
When James was ripping though a grade school team his Dad was ask you is that kid. He replyed "That my little man". Good Morristown kid.
madvillevol writes:
Is Bryce Brown visiting this weekend??
SemperVol writes:
Brent Hubbs has him as "potential"...
Along with Randall Carroll and Demontre Hurst.
Basketball_Jones writes:
You guys want a Garner or Stewart, I want a Reggie Bush or Lendell White. I hope Tennessee becomes USC East.
We need Brown out of Memphis. I have watched numerous videos on this guy and he is a difference maker. He's a guy that can help take our program to the next level. David Oku needs to be here as well, he will be our Lendell White.
I think Tennessee is going to be the hot topic on November 4th. Alot of kids signing with us. This is only the beginning
StroVol writes:
We have a reggie bush. His name is GERALD JONES!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Can't disagree with your general sentiment, but both Garner and Stewart did more in the NFL than either Bush or White to this point in their careers. We could do MUCH worse than to find a Garner or Stewart in this or any other class.
letshave1more writes:
How many hours a day do you spend on the TN site?
NoogaVol55 writes:
Don't forget about T.Williams. That kid is a beast who enrolled this january. I think he could contribute early, espeacially on short yardage, goal line situations.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I hope your joking.
Gerald Jones is shifty, but he is no Reggie Bush. Reggie Bush could be top 5 or 10 college player of all-time
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
This is an excellent post.
RB's can play just about any position except the line. I don't know if most people realize that high school RB (or sometimes QB) simply means that they are the best player on the team.
RB's make great LB's- can't have to many.
StroVol writes:
Obviously there won't another Bush, but Jones is as close as you get. Leaving the debacle of Clawson's inept attempt at offense, Jones will shine bright for 09
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I don't know... One maybe.
letshave1more writes:
You monitor our site more than the lizard site? Be honest...
80,000 fans at your stadium is a sell out-80,000 in knoxville and we fire the coach.
You all are good but your fans dont have the passion and spirit or you would not be posting every day on a tn site.... just the facts....
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I appreciate the spirit you have for UT, but I think you have me mistaken with someone.
Gchild writes:
He'll have to show a lot more than what I've seen from him so far until I would even mention Gerald Jones and Reggie Bush in the same sentence when it comes to college football.
tripper writes:
Between USC, Oklahoma and us for his last visit.
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