Oregon State DB Brandon Hardin wows scouts at Pro Day
Entering the 2011 season Brandon Hardin was viewed by scouts as one of the more intriguing defensive back prospects on the west coast. A broken shoulder suffered during fall camp, however, ended his senior season before it began. The 6-3, 216 pounder had started at cornerback as a junior and some view him as a potential safety convert. Despite the interest, he wasn't invited to the Combine. Hardin showed scouts from roughly half of the league's teams at the Oregon State Pro Daythat perhaps he should have been.
Weighing in at 219 pounds Friday, Hardin was clocked at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to a source on the scene. Hardin also registered a 35.5" vertical jump and a 10'4" broad jump. He also lifted the bar 24 during the bench press drill.
Hardin worked his way up the depth chart with the Beavers, emerging as a starting cornerback for the team in 2010. He was expected to start at corner again in 2011 and coaches thought he'd contend for all-conferences honors at the position. The injury robbed him of that opportunity, though he was healthy enough to compete at the East-West Shrine Game. Ironically enough, injuries to others there forced the coaching staff to ask Hardin to make the switch to safety. Some scouts believe safety is the position that offers Hardin his greatest chance at success in the NFL. As such, that's where NFLDraftScout.com projects him as a draftable commodity.
Hardin struggled with injuries a bit while at Oregon State. Other than the shoulder injury, which required surgery, Hardin played through a broken hand and sprained wrist (other arm) in 2008.
Hardin might be the most intriguing of Oregon State's prospects this year. Only one Beaver was invited to the Combine -- wide receiver James Rodgers. The older brother of former Beaver and currentAtlanta Falcons' running back Jacquizz Rodgers, James was a standout receiver and returner for Oregon State. Though signficiantly shorter than scouts would like (measured in at 5-07, 184 at the Combine), Rodgers is a reliable route-runner and possesses soft hands. Like his brother, he's much tougher than his size would indicate so there is a possibility that he'll latch on as a slot receiver. Rodgers was timed at 4.67 seconds at the Combine. Obviously, an improved time Friday would boost his chances of doing precisely that.
As a show of support for his brother and the rest of the Beavers, Jacquizz is in Corvalis today for the Pro Day.
Weighing in at 219 pounds Friday, Hardin was clocked at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to a source on the scene. Hardin also registered a 35.5" vertical jump and a 10'4" broad jump. He also lifted the bar 24 during the bench press drill.
Hardin worked his way up the depth chart with the Beavers, emerging as a starting cornerback for the team in 2010. He was expected to start at corner again in 2011 and coaches thought he'd contend for all-conferences honors at the position. The injury robbed him of that opportunity, though he was healthy enough to compete at the East-West Shrine Game. Ironically enough, injuries to others there forced the coaching staff to ask Hardin to make the switch to safety. Some scouts believe safety is the position that offers Hardin his greatest chance at success in the NFL. As such, that's where NFLDraftScout.com projects him as a draftable commodity.
Hardin struggled with injuries a bit while at Oregon State. Other than the shoulder injury, which required surgery, Hardin played through a broken hand and sprained wrist (other arm) in 2008.
Hardin might be the most intriguing of Oregon State's prospects this year. Only one Beaver was invited to the Combine -- wide receiver James Rodgers. The older brother of former Beaver and current
As a show of support for his brother and the rest of the Beavers, Jacquizz is in Corvalis today for the Pro Day.
