Tennessee Oilers quarterback Steve McNair (9) tries to escape from Kevin Hardy of the Jacksonville Jaguars. George Walker IV / The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Former Jaguar Kevin Hardy's son, Camden, makes college decision

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 2/8/23

Linebacker Kevin Hardy was drafted No. 2 overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now his son, Camden Hardy is trying to follow in his big footsteps.

The younger Hardy will first have to try to replicate the college success that his father had, though, and the first step in that process is making a commitment.

To that end, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound edge rusher recruit from Jacksonville Florida (Atlantic Coast High School), recently announced his commitment to Wake Forest.

A three-star recruit, Hardy is the No. 36 edge rusher in the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite. He told 247Sports that he's most excited about being part of the program that head coach Dave Clawson has run since 2014.

“A big part of it was the way in which Coach Clawson runs his program,” Hardy explained, regarding his commitment. “I was able to make it up there for a game day visit during the season and a Junior Day three weeks ago so I saw how the Deacs operate first hand. The deciding factor for me though was definitely Coach Cohen. He’s been recruiting me for over a year now and he’s just a great guy. He knows his stuff and I feel like I’d be a great fit for the way he coaches and the way the defense is ran.”

The coach Hardy is referencing is the assistant head coach for defense and defensive line coach Dave Cohen.

Camden's father, Kevin, played at Illinois and finished with 330 tackles, 18 sacks, and 38 tackles for loss in four seasons.

He made the NFL's all-rookie team when he made it to Jacksonville and was a defensive rookie of the year candidate.

He was an All-Pro, Pro Bowler, and defensive MVP candidate in 1999 thanks to a season that saw him notch 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 96 total tackles.

The elder Hardy also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, ultimately having a nine-year NFL career.

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