Justin Hardy (2025) - ECU Athletics Hall of Fame - East Carolina University Athletics

Justin Hardy

Induction:
2025
Class:
2014

Justin Hardy (ECU '14), a four-year letterman under ECU Hall of Famer Ruffin McNeill, helped ECU to 31 wins from 2011-14 and three postseason bowl appearances including teaming up with fellow 2025 hall of fame inductee Shane Carden in a 37-20 victory over Ohio in the 2014 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. The three-time first-team all-conference selection (2012-13/C-USA, 2014/AAC) completed his record-breaking All-America career as one of the premier pass catchers at the FBS level becoming the NCAA all-time receptions leader (387) while standing third all-time in receiving yards (4,451). At the conclusion of his senior year, he had established new ECU single-season records in receptions (121) and receptions yards (1,494) – both in 2014, while owning career marks for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches (35). Deuce, who he was affectionally called by Pirate fans because of wearing No. 2, became the 16th player in FBS history with 4,000-plus receiving yards and the first Pirate receiver with consecutive 100-yard receptions and three-straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Hardy was a two-time Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist and 2014 winner, which is given to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. In 49 games for the Purple and Gold, he posted 15 double-digit career reception games and 17 100-yard receiving contests, the most by a Pirate receiver. Hardy teamed up with Carden one last time participating in the 2015 Senior Bowl before being selected in the 2015 National Football Draft by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round.