[Buckskin86]

article on Hardman

RIPLEY -- As a freshman, Derek Hardman joined Roane County High's track team in an effort to stay in shape while awaiting August football practice.

Now a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior, Hardman not only is drawing attention from major college football schools, he's also among the best Class AA shot putters in the state.

"Football is my favorite," said Hardman, while awaiting his turn at the discus Tuesday at the Ripley Relays track meet. "I tried track during my freshman year and I liked it. Once I got into it, I found out I was decent and just kept with it. And it still keeps me in shape for football."

Hardman, who has broken Roane County's school shot put record of around 47 feet nine times in the past year and half, finished fifth in the shot during last year's state meet. But he has the longest throw in AA this season at 50 feet, 9 1/4 inches.

That throw also re-established the school record yet again.

"He keeps lengthening the school record," said Roane track coach Mark Bossert. "Last year he broke it, I think, six times and he's broken it three time so far this year. He's just a good all-around athlete and a good all-around kid.

"Derek is a smart kid and he's a good team leader. He has good character and he really helps the team out in more ways than just the points he brings."

However, the most surprising thing about Hardman is his spot on the school's shuttle hurdle relay team, which also qualified for last year's state meet.

"He runs surprising well for how big he is," said Bossert. "Of the four on our shuttle hurdle squad, he might be the second or third fastest kid."

But while track is Hardman's first priority this spring, it's football that's in his heart and athletic future.

Hardman, a promising prospect at tight end, offensive tackle or defensive end, hauled in 29 passes last fall for 281 yards and a score from his tight end position, while racking up 99 tackles and 11 sacks as a defensive end.

For good measure, Hardman also added three blocked punts.

"I think I'm pretty much a tackle that can run," said the soft-spoken, straight-A student. "I'm not sure what I'll play in college. I like everything about football. I like blocking, catching and I like to play defense, too."

To date, Hardman has received interest from West Virginia, Marshall, Ohio State, Purdue and Tennessee, as well as Ivy League schools Princeton and Harvard.

As for his post-track season plans, Hardman is scheduled to burn up the highways attending various football camps in several surrounding states.

Also among Hardman's top priorities this summer will be improving his bench press, which currently reps out at 235 pounds.

He also wants to improve his 40-yard sprint time, which is in the 4.9 range.

"This summer I plan on doing a lot of lifting and going to as many football camps as I can," said Hardman, who plans on attending camps at West Virginia, Marshall and Tennessee. "It should be a fun but busy summer."

In a recent Insiders update he said he would camp at tOSU- hopefully this remains true- Obviously we are in the market for a TE.