Hardy attended high school at Penn Hills. In Hardy's senior season, he amassed a total of 22 touchdowns.[2] Hardy helped led his team to a Pennsylvania state title, as in the game he scored four touchdowns, two receiving, an 84-yard kickoff return, and a 100-yard pick six, as he also intercepted three passes in the game.[3] Coming out of high school, Hardy was rated as a three-star recruit, where he decided to commit to play college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.[4][5]
College career
In Hardy's first career season in 2020, he tallied ten tackles, three pass deflections, and a sack.[6] In 2021, Hardy had 15 tackles, with three going for a loss, a sack, six pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown.[7] During the 2022 season, Hardy notched 13 tackles with half a tackle being for a loss, half a sack, four pass deflections, an interceptions, and a forced fumble.[8] In week seven of the 2023 season, Hardy returned two punts for touchdowns in a win over UMass.[9] His two touchdowns, was a single game school record for punt return touchdowns.[10] Hardy finished the 2023 season totaling 22 tackles with three going for a loss, a sack, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions, while also returning 17 punts for 248 yards and two touchdowns.[11] For his performance on the 2023 season, Hardy was named third team all Big-Ten.[12] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Hardy declared for the 2024 NFL draft.[13][14]
Hardy was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 219th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.[18] He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27,[19] then later added back to the practice squad.[20]