FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons selected East Carolina's record-setting wide receiver Justin Hardy in the fourth round (107th overall) of the NFL draft on Saturday.
Hardy will be expected to compete for the No. 3 wide receiver position and contribute on special teams.
After being selected, Hardy spoke with the local media during a conference call. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What was it like setting the NCAA reception record at East Carolina?
A: It was definitely a great feeling. I had the opportunity to showcase what I can do with the football in my hands. The coaching staff did a great job of trying to get the ball in my hands. They put enough trust in me to be able to do what I do.
Q: When did ECU come in after you’d signed with Fayetteville State?
A: Coming out of high school I didn't have any offers other than that DII school. I was shorting myself. I felt like I was shorting myself. I felt like I could play at the DI level. When the new coaching staff came in at East Carolina they gave me the opportunity to walk-on and I just made the most of it.
Q: When did you get your scholarship?
A: I got the scholarship the spring semester after getting there. I got there in the fall of 2010 and I got it the spring semester of 2011.
Q: When you walked on was it as a quarterback?
A: I walked on as a receiver from the jump. That something that I wanted to play when I got to the next level. That's what the coaching staff wanted me to do.
Q: What was your contact with the Falcons during the pre-draft process?
A: I had a visit with the Falcons. My visit was just great. . . .I feel like this is the perfect fit for me.
Q: What do you do best?
A: Definitely, catch the ball and my effort. That's one of the things I hang my hat on, effort and just having a great attitude about it. I always have that chip on my shoulder. I was never given anything up until this point. It's still one of those things that I have to go fight for because things were not given to me.
Q: Can you play in the slot in the NFL?
A: Definitely. Oh, definitely.
Q: How is your separation ability from defensive backs?
A: They always list me as not being the fastest guy and not being the biggest guy, but I like to hang my hat on my route-running to get that separation. You don't necessarily have to be the fastest person, you have to perfect your craft to get that separation that's needed.
Q: Was it fun to play in East Carolina’s high-flying offense?
A: It definitely was fun. We were a lot more balance than what people thought we were. We ran the ball just as well as we passed the ball. That really keep the offense going.
Q: Did you get to meet former ECU wide receiver Dwayne Harris (Giants, Tucker High) when you were there?
A: Dwayne was a senior during my redshirt year. I learned a lot of him. I tried to just watch him and (copy his style.)
http://www.wsbtv.com/videos/sports/justin-hardy-drafted-by-falcons/vDRTJW/
Vic Beasley, DE/OLB
Round: First. College: Clemson. Height: 6-3. Weight: 246. Hometown: Adairsville. High school: Adairsville. Age: 22.
Highlights: Clemson's all-time sack leader, Beasley had 37 tackles, a team-high 21.5 tackles for loss, a team-high 12 sacks, nine quarterback pressures, three pass breakups, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble and a 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 557 snaps over 13 games (12 starts) last season. He was the ACC defensive player of the year, as voted on by the coaches and the media. He finished with 33 sacks in his career, which he started as a running back.
Jalen Collins, CB
Round: Second. College: LSU. Height: 6-1 1/2. Weight: 203. Hometown: Olive Branch, Miss. High school: Olive Branch, Miss. Age: 22.
Highlights: A big, physical cornerback with the size and tackling skills to perhaps play safety. He led the Tigers with nine pass breakups in 2014, despite starting only seven of 13 games as a fourth-year junior. Also had 38 tackles and an interception. After redshirting as a freshman in 2011, Collins started the first game the next season before transitioning to a reserve role. Said he has a 78 1/8-inch wingspan.
Tevin Coleman, RB
Round: Third. College: Indiana. Height: 5-11, 3/8. Weight: 206 lbs. Hometown: Tinley Park, Ill. High school: Oak Forest. Age: 22 Highlights: Cranked up his game from the middle of his sophomore season through his junior campaign, averaging 142.6 rushing yards per game over the final 21 games of his college career. Owns the IU single-season rushing record with 2,036 yards last fall, and he set the mark while going for 228 yards against eventual national champion Ohio State. Also rushed for 307 against Rutgers. Was one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, and second nationally in rushing in 2014 while averaging 169.7 yards per game. Also caught 25 passes as a junior. Rushed for 958 yards as a sophomore, missing three games with an ankle injury. As a freshman, he rushed for 225 yards, and led the team with a 23.6-yard average on kickoff returns, including one that went 96 yards for a touchdown.
Justin Hardy, WR
Round: Fourth. College: East Carolina. Height: 5-10, 1/4. Weight:192 lbs. Hometown: Vanceboro High school: West Craven. Age: 23 Highlights: He set the record for most career receptions in bowl subdivision history last season. Hardy played in 63 games for the Pirates and finished his career with 387 catches for 4,541 yards and 35 touchdowns. He broke the record against Tulane last season in a 34-6 victory. He moved pass the previous record of 349 set by Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles in 2011. Hardy had just one Division II scholarship offer in high school before ending up at East Carolina as a preferred walk-on. He had originally signed with Fayetteville State, but was given a release to walk-on at ECU. He spent his first year on the scout team before earning a scholarship a year later and quickly earning a lead role in the pass-heavy offense.
ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 DRAFT PICKS
First round: 8th overall selection -- Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Second round: 42nd overall selection -- Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Third round: 73rd overall selection -- Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Fourth round: 107th overall selection -- Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina
Fifth round: 146th overall selection
Sixth round: 185th overall selection
Seventh round: 225th overall selection
Seventh round: 249th overall selection*
*Pick is from New England through St. Louis
POSITION-BY-POSITION FOR 2015 NFL DRAFT
Wednesday: Top 5 Inside Linebackers
Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman ,
Thursday: Top 5 defensive tackles
(Leonard Williams' Rugby skill will become handy in the NFL)
Friday: Top 5 defensive backs
Alabama's Landon Collins is the top safety prospect
Saturday: Top 5 special teamers
Dorsett, Alford could be top returners
Sunday: Top 5 edge rushers (defensive ends/outside linebackers).
Big Chuck Smith breaks down the top pass-rush prospects
Monday: Top 5 Offensive line
Georgia Tech's Shaquille Mason trying to convert to center for NFL
Tuesday: Top 5 Wide receivers
Georgia's Chris Conley now projects as a fourth-rounder
Wednesday, April 22: Top 5 Running backs
Thursday, April 23: Top 5 Quarterbacks
NFL must handle Winston, Mariota with care. Both need seasoning
Friday, April 24: Top 5 Tight ends
South Carolina's Rory "Buster" Anderson hopes to get his NFL shot
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