Justin Hardy Named Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
November 18, 2014 | Football
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - A week after being named to the initial Burlsworth Trophy Watch List, senior Justin Hardy has been named one of 10 semifinalists for this year's award, 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 (346), receiving yards (4,049) and touchdown catches (32) and needs just four 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 45 career games played, recorded 14 100-yard and 13 double-digit career reception games, and hauled down at least one TD pass in 28 contests.
The Vanceboro, N.C. native is the lone Pirate receiver to post three-straight 1,000-yard seasons (1,105 in 2012, 1,284 in 2013, 1,002 in 2014), and against Cincinnati became just the 16th player in FBS history with 4,000-plus receiving yards, which came on a 31-yard reception in the third quarter. He currently ranks among the FBS leaders (Top 25) in receptions per game (3rd/8.9 pg), receiving yards per game (8th/111.3 pg), receiving yards (12th/1,002) and receiving TDs (23rd/7).
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.
FAN VOTING
Fans will be allowed to vote for their favorite player via the Fan Vote beginning today, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. (CST). Voting can be accessed at www.burlsworthtrophy.com and will begin with the top 10 semifinalists and continue as the selection committee announces the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on Nov. 25th. Fans are limited to one vote per day, and the voting for the semifinalist round will conclude on Nov. 20th at midnight (CST). The Fan Vote counts as five percent during each round of voting, and it is combined with the results from the Selection Committee. Fans can cast their vote for the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on once per day. Fan Vote totals are cleared after each round.
