JaQuan Hardy
Running Back / Tiffin University

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

JaQuan Hardy:  5’9 and my weight is 217 right now.  I was timed by two scouts at 4.50 during my junior pro day.  This was with no training.  This was literally the week before everything got shut down.    

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

JaQuan Hardy:  As of right now, I am doing home workouts.  I am doing core workouts and stretching.  I am talking with the guys on zoom.  I am trying to be a leader.  It is all about staying together and being on the same page. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

JaQuan Hardy:  I used play rugby, ran track and played basketball.  Rugby made me more of a man.  I grew up playing football, but I got into rugby.  I fell in love with it before football.  During my sophomore year, I did rugby.  It made me more disciplined.  There are straight fundamentals in rugby.  You have to get the ball back to the teammate.  You can’t just stop in the middle of the game.  It is a very tough environment.  It puts you through adversity.

Alex Khvatov:  How is rugby different from football?

JaQuan Hardy:  Rugby comes down to not having plays.  It is non-stop.  You are consistently going.  It is for 60 minutes, and we have two halves. 

Alex Khvatov:  When did you start playing RB? 

JaQuan Hardy:  It was during middle school.  I was actually playing nose guard during my freshman year of high school.  My coach didn’t know what to do with me at first.  During my sophomore year, I started to get good at RB.  It took off from there.    

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

JaQuan Hardy:  I went to Westlake public school.  I wanted to go to the Edge Academy high school.  I didn’t have many offers.  In the beginning, I had Ball State and Akron.  They were offering walk-on position.  I wanted to get my degree paid for.  I didn’t want to be another number. 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Tiffin University?

JaQuan Hardy:  They were the first school to offer me a full ride.  I had eight D-II offers.  Most of the schools were from the GLIAC and the G-MAC.  My focus was on Tiffin.  I bought into Coach Goff.  He put me onto his list.  I grew up in East Cleveland and then moved to the suburbs.  I heard about Tiffin.  It is a small corn city. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe Tiffin University? 

JaQuan Hardy:  They have a great indoor facility and the cookies in the cafeteria are excellent.  It is a low-key town.  I didn’t want to be another number.  We have about 8,000 students online and 2000 at the campus.  It is not a party school.  You focus on football and school.  I like it because of all of the bonds that won’t be broken. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career so far. 

JaQuan Hardy:  We went 9-2 overall this past year.  We went 9-1 in conference.  We had adversity the first couple of games this past season.  We faced adversity against Saginaw.  But we came together as a team.  Our leaders helped the team get through it.  At the end of the day, communication is the key.  My freshman year, coach Goff knew about me.  He didn’t know what I was capable of doing.  I ended up playing with two other RB’s in a rotation.  I started as a sophomore.  I had over 1,000 yards.  But I tore my meniscus in the fall of my 2018 season.  I sat out the 2018 season.  I became quicker and more elusive.  I put in a lot of hard work.  I wanted to have a fast twitch and stretching is something that I have worked on.  We lost by two points to Kutztown in the first round of the playoffs this year. 

Alex Khvatov:  Your team won the Conference Championship this past season and made the first NCAA playoff appearance in program history.  How great was it to be part of that success?  

JaQuan Hardy:  Looking back, I didn’t look at it in that way.  We are just focusing on the next game.  Now I am looking back, and it is pretty cool.  We are part of history now.     

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

JaQuan Hardy:  My effort, competing and getting better with each play.  I get stronger as the game wears on.  I pay attention to the details.  I am reading blocks well.  My vision is really good.    

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

JaQuan Hardy:  I want to get faster and get a third gear.  I have the first and second gear.  Pass protection needs to improve.  I need to get hands more to the inside and get my base under me.  I am also trying to get more flexible. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

JaQuan Hardy:  My best highlight isn’t made yet.  Maybe the Findlay game.  They offered me, but not a full ride.  It has always been on my mind.  It was the first time we beat them in 28 years. 

Alex Khvatov:  You were named Conference Player of the Year this past season.  How honored were you to see all of the hard work pay off in the end?        

JaQuan Hardy:  It was a blessing.  I put God first.  It was crazy to have all of these records.  I am looking to break more records.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

JaQuan Hardy:  I am more of a man now than I used to be because of them.  They always preach to give it 110%.  They know your name and your parents’ names.  They genuinely care about you. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

JaQuan Hardy:  It would probably be the Rams.  Their new uniforms are cool.  They are from CA, and the state is cool.  I am a big Eric Dickerson fan.  I was always playing NFL Street video game with him.  Then I watched his highlights. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

JaQuan Hardy:  Ricky Williams or LaDainian Tomlinson. 

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the defense? 

JaQuan Hardy:  Looking from the corner to the backside safety and towards the linebackers.  I am looking if the linebackers are antsy, then they will come on a blitz or a stunt.  I am looking at the DL and what gap they are occupying.  I figure out in what gap they are in.  If they come this way, then where do I go. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

JaQuan Hardy:  DE Charlie Cleveland is putting some work in.  He will be a beast.  You will hear his name a lot.  He will be on the radar.  Torrey Hunt is playing at DB.  He will stick out this year.  Our defense will be better this year.  QB Nick Watson.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

JaQuan Hardy:  DL from Ferris State.  His name was Austin Edwards.  He is built like J.J. Watt.  He was always in the backfield.  He has a fast twitch.  I had to think very fast on my feet to elude because he was in the backfield so quickly.  We played against them when I was a sophomore.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a RB?

JaQuan Hardy:  Patience goes a long way.  Let things develop and get past each level.  Always keep your eyes moving and be ready. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

JaQuan Hardy:  Making bonds when you are there.  Bonds will stay forever.  Also meeting new people. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Tiffin this upcoming season? 

JaQuan Hardy:  We have the talent to go to the national championship.  We need to focus on the details.  We need to work as a team and focus on every game.  We can take it far.  Everyone has to be on the same page.  Our coaches know that they do things for us, and players know what they have to do.  We are mature.  Our coaches made us better players and they believe in us. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

JaQuan Hardy:  I am a huge gamer.  I play PS4.  I like playing Madden and Fortnite.  I play with my former teammate Trey Pipkins.  He just got signed by the CFL team.  The same team that Johnny Manziel was on.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

JaQuan Hardy:  I want to own a business.  I want to have an indoor gym.  I also want to own a restaurant.  I want to be my own boss.  I might want to be an agent.  I want to do multiple things.  I want to be a professional gamer.  I am really good at Fortnite. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

JaQuan Hardy:  Fun, enthusiastic, leader, focused, and competitive.