Hardy Named To Burlsworth Trophy Watch List
November 12, 2014 | Football
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - East Carolina senior receiver Justin Hardy is one of 55 FBS players named to the 2014 Burlsworth Trophy watch list, which is given to the collegiate player who began their career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
A four-year starter at wide receiver, Hardy owns ECU career records for receptions (331), receiving yards (3,861) and touchdown catches (31) and needs just 19 receptions to become the all-time FBS receptions record holder, which is currently held by former Oklahoma Sooner Ryan Broyles (349/2008-11).
Hardy has nabbed at least two catches in all 44 career games played, recorded 13 100-yard and 12 double-digit career reception games, and hauled down at least one TD pass in 27 contests.
The Vanceboro, N.C. native became the first Pirate receiver to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (1,105 in 2012, 1,284 in 2013) and needs 186 yards for his third-straight 1,000-yard campaign.
Currently Hardy ranks among the FBS leaders (Top 35) in receptions per game (6th/8.1 pg), receiving yards per game (13th/101.8 pg), receiving yards (20th/814) and receiving TDs (35th/6), and with 186 more yards will become the 16th receiver in NCAA history to eclipse the 4,000-yard receiving mark.
A two-time First-Team All-Conference USA receiver, Hardy hauled down an ECU and league-best 114 passes for 1,284 yards a year ago to establish new single-season Pirate records to go along with his eight touchdowns. Against Tulane, he caught a single-game school record 17 balls for 230 yards, besting his 16-catch, 191-yard game in the season opener against Old Dominion. At the conclusion of his junior year, he was the only player in league history to have multiple 16-plus catches in a game (three times), and his 17 receptions against the Green Wave are tied for third all-time.
As a walk-on in 2010, Hardy served as a valuable member of the scout teams while redshirting during his initial season. After receiving a full scholarship the following spring, he had a breakout year during his first season on the active roster by setting ECU freshman records with 64 receptions and 658 yards, while tying the TD mark with six.
During sophomore season, he earned First-Team All C-USA honors as a receiver and was a second-team choice as a punt returner. He became just the fourth receiver in school history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in a single-season, which ranks third all-time. Hardy also ranked among the school's single-season leaders in receiving TDs (2nd/11) and receptions (3rd/88).
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1994, worked his way to being a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft but was killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children that have limited opportunities.
The Springdale Rotary Club will host a banquet on Dec. 8th in Springdale, Ark. to honor the finalists and to announce the 2014 winner.
