The Bills selected CB Daequan Hardy in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (219th overall).
Here are the top three things to know about the selection.
1 – Talented returner
While Hardy is a capable cover cornerback with explosive speed, he is also an accomplished return man. As the full-time punt returner for Penn State last season, he averaged 14.6 yards per return and took a pair back for touchdowns for 56 and 68 yards in the same game vs. UMASS. He became the first player in school history to score multiple punt return touchdowns in one game.
2 – Highly decorated high schooler
Hardy not only led his high school team Penn Hills to an undefeated season and state title in football in 2018, he was named the 5A State Player of the Year. In the state title game, he put up a four-touchdown performance with a pair of touchdown receptions (74 & 24 yards), a 100-yard interception return and an 84-yard kickoff return.
3 - Pittsburgh ties
A native of Pittsburgh, it's not surprising that Hardy's youth football days have ties to the Steelers. He played on the same youth football 7-on-7 team as Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. On that same team was also Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin's son, Dino Tomlin.
