'08 FB Class Review: DT

Templeton Hardy
Ht: 6'3" Wt: 295
Scout	**** #282 overall, #20 DT, #5 in Mississippi
Rivals	**** #152 overall, #11 DT, #4 in Mississippi
ESPN	80, #9 DT

Templeton Hardy had offers from pretty much everybody, including: Auburn, Tennessee, UCLA, Texas A&M, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and Southern Cal. An impressive list to say the least. As a junior, Hardy recorded 148 tackles, 28 TFL, and 9 sacks. Hardy followed that up with a simply ridiculous 173 tackle effort his senior year.

In high school Hardy played on both OL and DL and many people thought he was actually better on the OL. He could end up at either DT or OT at Mississippi State. I'm sure the staff will try him out at both positions and see which works out better. While Hardy is certainly the jewel of this class (or one of them), don't be expecting much as a freshman. He happens to play one of those positions, whether it be on the OL or at DT, at which you rarely see production out of freshman. Once he spends a year or two in the training program, he should be a foundation on whichever side of the ball he winds up on.

Josh Jackson
Ht: 6'3" Wt: 285
Scout	*** #45 DT, #15 in Mississippi
Rivals	*** #31 DT, #14 in Mississippi
ESPN	77 #46 DT

Jackson's other offers were from Jackson State, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss. 84 tackles and 14 sacks his junior year. 102 tackles and 15 sacks his senior year.

One interesting sidenote on Jackson. I've seen his weight reported anywhere between 273 and 294. Now, reported weights inevitably vary from one source to the next but still, 21 pounds is a tad extreme.

Overall Grade: A
Hardy was wanted by everybody and although Jackson didn't have an outstanding offer list, he is fairly highly rated. Since all three services agree, I tend to put a little more stock in the rating. Combine these two with the DEs in this class and the DL as a whole looks to be in great shape in the future.