Blair, Hardy Sign Free Agent NFL Contracts
April 28, 2003 | Football
 Kelly Hardy |
 Ja'Waren Blair |
Blair, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., led all ECU defensive linemen with 87 tackles as a senior this past season. Included in that total were six tackles for losses, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. The 6-6, 255 Blair lettered three years at ECU, compiling 132 tackles and 13 tackles for losses during his collegiate career.
Hardy is a four-year letterman who twice won Conference USA Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors during his ECU career. The 6-0, 193 native of Kinston, N.C., made 198 total tackles over the past four seasons, including a team-high 110 in 2002. The free safety was one of the team's top playmakers on defense last season as he scored two touchdowns on fumble returns, had two interceptions, and led the team with 12 pass breakups. Hardy was the only Pirate to participate in a postseason all-star game this past winter as he was selected for the Rotary Gridiron Classic in Orlando, Fla.
The Pirate football program had eight former players on active NFL rosters this past season.
