'11 OH S Eilar Hardy (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[rtrn2glory]

I'm surprised we haven't been able to lure elite DB talent's interest more than we have. I'm sure the coaching staff has been able to honestly pitch early playing time to recruits like Grant, Lyons, and perhaps Shuler. Sure would be nice to land another top notch DB to go along with Hardy who could push for playing time next fall.

 

[Sweetness34]

Just walked by Bob Diaco about an hour ago.

 

[jonesman]

sweetness,
If he walks by again, grab him and tell him to go get Doran Grant and tell him to move into Stephon Tuitts house until NSD!!!

 

[Sweetness34]

sweetness,
If he walks by again, grab him and tell him to go get Doran Grant and tell him to move into Stephon Tuitts house until NSD!!!

He left already or I would. I will see Doran this weekend for his OSU visit.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Posted this on his FB page today
"Just got ACCEPTED into NOTRE DAME??? Im TOO charged "

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

is Eilar an EE?

 

[OCIrish]

I didn't think he was but will not complain if he is.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Listed by espn as a safety with "best upside"

"If Notre Dame can be patient with Hardy's development we see a lot of productivity in his future. He brings intangibles to the position and a good overall level of understanding. He utilizes his good ball skills, range and athleticism to make plays around the ball in coverage, but it's his ability to get downhill quickly and be active versus the run as a first-level defender that adds so much value to him as a prospect. In order to reach his full potential, he will likely need a redshirt year to add size, strength and overall explosiveness to his frame."

Gerrod Holliman's incredible burst and Karlos Williams' great range highlight the 2011 safety superlatives. - ESPN

 

[DoverShores]

Listed by espn as a safety with "best upside"

"If Notre Dame can be patient with Hardy's development we see a lot of productivity in his future. He brings intangibles to the position and a good overall level of understanding. He utilizes his good ball skills, range and athleticism to make plays around the ball in coverage, but it's his ability to get downhill quickly and be active versus the run as a first-level defender that adds so much value to him as a prospect. In order to reach his full potential, he will likely need a redshirt year to add size, strength and overall explosiveness to his frame."

Gerrod Holliman's incredible burst and Karlos Williams' great range highlight the 2011 safety superlatives. - ESPN

Thanks for the post.... It's scary how much the Florida kids dominated that list.

 

[BGIF]

Scout buimped him up 3 slots to #12 Safety. 4 Stars

 

[rocket31]

Scout buimped him up 3 slots to #12 Safety. 4 Stars

love this guy!

 

[Veer option]

At 6'0 170 with that kind of frame he could pack on 20/25 pounds of muscle no problem and be a real enforcer in the secondary.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

I am a bit surprised to hear some of our other recruits, mainly okotcha and atkinson, tagged as the corners who will be coming in and competing for play time right away. Eilar is the highest rated of all our cornerback commits, and may be the most physically prepared of the bunch. I would expect him to make a great impact in the nickel or dime sets with his ability to tackle. IMO I think that Hardy may be the corner who steps up from this class and makes the first impact. But then again we won't know who has prepared themselves the best through their spring until these guys show up this summer.

 

[mgriff]

I am a bit surprised to hear some of our other recruits, mainly okotcha and atkinson, tagged as the corners who will be coming in and competing for play time right away. Eilar is the highest rated of all our cornerback commits, and may be the most physically prepared of the bunch. I would expect him to make a great impact in the nickel or dime sets with his ability to tackle. IMO I think that Hardy may be the corner who steps up from this class and makes the first impact. But then again we won't know who has prepared themselves the best through their spring until these guys show up this summer.

I believe Eilar will be playing safety for us.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

I believe Eilar will be playing safety for us.

He's actually been recruited as a cornerback for the Irish. This thread is a bit misleading because he is listed as a safety in the title, but that is his high school position and not his ND position. Maybe that is why most people are forgetting about Hardy, they believe him to be a safety for us and forget that he was recruited to play corner.

 

[IrishLax]

He's actually been recruited as a cornerback for the Irish. This thread is a bit misleading because he is listed as a safety in the title, but that is his high school position and not his ND position. Maybe that is why most people are forgetting about Hardy, they believe him to be a safety for us and forget that he was recruited to play corner.

Where are you getting that information from?

 

[ab2cmiller]

I don't know how accurate the ISD article is, but it claims he will get a look at corner.
Building the Foundation

The jewel of the secondary class is Ohio defensive back Eilar Hardy (Pickerington, Ohio/Central). Hardy is a combination player that will likely get a look at cornerback, but is better suited for the safety position. Hardy lacks elite speed, but he more than makes up for it with great balance and quickness. The Pickerington Central standout is also an extremely instinctive football player with tremendous range in both the run game and the pass game. I cannot think of one thing that Hardy is exceptional at, but there also isn’t anything that I would consider a weakness; he is just a really good football player. The safeties at Notre Dame have to be dual threat players that can play the hash in the zone, cover tight ends and slot players in the pass game, and fill hard in the alley against the run. Hardy can do all three of these things as well as anybody in the country.

 

[johnnykillz]

Welcome abord Hardy. Appears the staff projects him at Cornerback

2011 Eilar Hardy - Pickerington Central - DB - Jr

Watch the video at the link

I actually really like the idea of him as a cornerback.

Songs good too

I believe that we have not talked enough inclusively about Hardy in our near future speculations here. He sounds like a terrific prospect and I can imagine him helping out quickly. Plus, it's not obvious to me that he can't play corner as well as safety. We're coming into next season with three established safeties [Smith, Motta, & Slaughter] and two established corners [Gray & Blanton] and one "in-waiting" [Wood]. Taking injury bugs into account [as at least a planning concern], I see the new guys as having an excellent shot to play and Hardy is right at the top of that list.

I am a bit surprised to hear some of our other recruits, mainly okotcha and atkinson, tagged as the corners who will be coming in and competing for play time right away. Eilar is the highest rated of all our cornerback commits, and may be the most physically prepared of the bunch. I would expect him to make a great impact in the nickel or dime sets with his ability to tackle. IMO I think that Hardy may be the corner who steps up from this class and makes the first impact. But then again we won't know who has prepared themselves the best through their spring until these guys show up this summer.

Regardless of which position Hardy plays, I think it's obvious we will have a pretty solid secondary when our front 7 come to fruition...

Hardy is looked at by the staff to compete at corner, but he may play safety. Who cares? I hope he destroys us a Trojan...

 

[BirdmanND06]

He's actually been recruited as a cornerback for the Irish. This thread is a bit misleading because he is listed as a safety in the title, but that is his high school position and not his ND position. Maybe that is why most people are forgetting about Hardy, they believe him to be a safety for us and forget that he was recruited to play corner.

It's true that Hardy was recruited as a CB, and he has that ability. The same is true of all five of our DB recruits this year. However, he will most likely play S in college. Hardy and Farley are most likely to end up at S, Atkinson and Okatcha (spelling?) are most likely to play CB, and Brown could probably go either way.

 

[irishandy]

Can't wait to see Hardy on the field, definitely a deserved 4 * recruit.

 

[Sweetness34]

I teach at the school Eilar attends and I know that ND is looking at him for corner because they like big corners. I think he is very talented and he will surprise many by his play.

 

[jason_h537]

Hardy was recruited at CB but with the way the process played out it is hard not to imagine he will be a safety at ND

 

[Sweetness34]

Hardy was recruited at CB but with the way the process played out it is hard not to imagine he will be a safety at ND

I agree with you, he will end up being a safety at ND. He is rangy and will be able to make plays sideline to sideline.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Eitherway, the secondary, interior d line, and running back, are the three areas I see the staff really going hard after in the 2012 recruiting class. Would love to see us land 2 or 3 stud DB recruits.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Where are you getting that information from?

South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame Football: Cornerback Hardy makes the call to join Irish

That is one article I found. I remember seeing another article with a quote from Hardy right after his commitment where he spoke about his excitement to play cornerback and how that was a big part of the recruitment because he liked what ND had planned for him at the cornerback position.

I do agree with some that he could play safety and has the skills to play either position, but I'm not sure that we should just assume that because he technically could play safety that he would be moved there. At this point he is a cornerback for ND. I see him as a similar player to Blanton, just with more speed and probably a bit more raw talent coming out of high school than RJ (although Blanton has been very impressive while at ND).

 

[rtrn2glory]

South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame Football: Cornerback Hardy makes the call to join Irish

That is one article I found. I remember seeing another article with a quote from Hardy right after his commitment where he spoke about his excitement to play cornerback and how that was a big part of the recruitment because he liked what ND had planned for him at the cornerback position.

I do agree with some that he could play safety and has the skills to play either position, but I'm not sure that we should just assume that because he technically could play safety that he would be moved there. At this point he is a cornerback for ND. I see him as a similar player to Blanton, just with more speed and probably a bit more raw talent coming out of high school than RJ (although Blanton has been very impressive while at ND).

Good comparison to RJ!!! I can really see that now that you mention it. RJ needs to have a big year in 2011!!

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Much needed help to the Secondary

 

[irishff1014]

I do believe this young man is going to bring back some glory to the defensive backs.

 

[Veer option]

I do believe this young man is going to bring back some glory to the defensive backs.

He should be a fun one to watch once he gets some more muscle mass and experience.

 

[WabashFalcon]

Bear with me... but I think Hardy is going to be the sleeper of this class.

He is coming in at a HIGH position of need, be it either CB or Safety. I like his ball skills... and when he's paired up w/ Slaughter or Baby Herc in the near future, it is going to be scary.