Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy accepts Shrine Bowl invite
Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy is headed to the Shrine Bowl. The Nittany Lions were already set to be well represented at the annual pre-NFL Draft all-star event before the Pittsburgh native accepted his invitation to the weeklong showcase on Saturday. He will be joined in Frisco, Tex., by former Lions teammate and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, center Hunter Nourzad, and linebacker Curtis Jacobs. Practices start on Jan. 27. The game will be held at the Ford Center on Feb. 1.
Hardy declared for the pros back in mid-December. He still played in the Peach Bowl later that month. After 44 contests in blue and white, he finished with 60 tackles (7.5 for loss), five interceptions (including one he returned for a touchdown in 2021), and 19 pass breakups. He also has two punt returns for touchdowns during the 2023 season. He took that role over for good after finding the end zone twice against Massachusetts in October.
The former Penn State slot corner said he feels under the radar of NFL personnel entering the all-important three-month stretch to April’s Draft. He’s hoping the Shrine Bowl, much like the Peach Bowl, can be another step on the road to changing that fact. There, he will want to impress scouts with his coverage ability with an emphasis on his talents in the return game.
“I’m not the biggest in stature,” Hardy said in Atlanta. “I’m not one of the top prospects going into the draft. So I know that this is another opportunity for me to showcase my skills. And, make myself more known to the draft world.”
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Penn State players are going to the Senior Bowl, as well
The Shrine Bowl is one of numerous postseason all-star games for NFL-bound players. While some Lions will be at it, others are going to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. That list features former Penn State cornerback Kalen King. He will be the lone underclassman cornerback at the event. Cornerback Johnny Dixon, tight end Theo Johnson, and defensive end Adisa Isaac will also be there. The premiere all-star game event starts with practices on Tue., Jan. 30. The game is Feb. 3 in Mobile, Ala.
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