Hardy Named to Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List
8/16/2024 10:21:00 AM | Football
One of Liberty's anticipated leaders on the defensive front four is drawing national attention heading into the start of the 2024 season.
Liberty's defensive tackle Jay Hardy has been named to the 2024 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List.
The Lombardi Award™ Committee proudly released the 2024 preseason watch list on Thursday, featuring 90 of the nation's top linemen and linebackers.
This list consists of a select group of talented athletes representing the very best from all FBS conferences and independents, based on previous performances and potential for the coming season.
This marks the 51st anniversary of the award which has been handed out in Houston, Texas since its inception. The 2024 award dinner will take place on December 11, 2024. Net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
Hardy was one of five Conference USA representatives on the preseason award watch list. He was joined by Jacksonville State's Clay Webb (OG), New Mexico State's Shiyazh Pete (DT), UTEP's Maurice Westmoreland (DE) and Western Kentucky's Hosea Wheeler (DT).
Hardy saw playing time in all 14 games in 2023. He started five games, four of which came late in the season, including the CUSA Football Championship game and the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The native of Chattanooga, Tenn., finished last year with 31 tackles (12 solo, 19 assisted) and ranked fourth on the team with five tackles for a loss (24 yards). He also added two sacks.
Hardy helped Liberty finish the season ranked No. 9 in the country in turnovers gained (25), No. 21 in turnover margin (0.50) and No. 24 in rushing defense (116.7 yards allowed per game).
The defensive tackle finished the CUSA Football Championship game with four stops against New Mexico State. He also recorded three tackles, including two solo stops, against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The 2024 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List showcases a balanced distribution across eligible positions: 18 defensive tackles, 17 defensive ends and 19 linebackers on defense; and 18 offensive tackles, 10 offensive guards, six offensive centers and two tight ends on offense.
This diverse group hails from the nation's top conferences: the SEC with 19 players, Big Ten with 18 players, and Big 12 with 13, and has strong representation from the ACC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Pac-12, Mountain West, MAC and Independent teams.
2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Liberty's exciting 2024 slate includes home games against AAC foe East Carolina (Sept. 21) and CUSA home games against UTEP (Sept. 14), FIU (Oct. 8), Jax State (Oct. 30) and WKU (Nov. 23).
You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.
Flames Nation will get its first look at the 2024 roster when Liberty hosts its annual Fan Appreciation Day event on Saturday, August 17. Williams Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with a scrimmage set to begin at 6 p.m.
Liberty Athletics will hold an autograph session with its football players and coaches following the scrimmage inside the Indoor Practice Facility. More details about this event will be coming soon to LibertyFlames.com and the @LibertyFlames and @LibertyFootball social media platforms.
Liberty's defensive tackle Jay Hardy has been named to the 2024 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List.
The Lombardi Award™ Committee proudly released the 2024 preseason watch list on Thursday, featuring 90 of the nation's top linemen and linebackers.
This list consists of a select group of talented athletes representing the very best from all FBS conferences and independents, based on previous performances and potential for the coming season.
This marks the 51st anniversary of the award which has been handed out in Houston, Texas since its inception. The 2024 award dinner will take place on December 11, 2024. Net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
Hardy was one of five Conference USA representatives on the preseason award watch list. He was joined by Jacksonville State's Clay Webb (OG), New Mexico State's Shiyazh Pete (DT), UTEP's Maurice Westmoreland (DE) and Western Kentucky's Hosea Wheeler (DT).
Hardy saw playing time in all 14 games in 2023. He started five games, four of which came late in the season, including the CUSA Football Championship game and the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The native of Chattanooga, Tenn., finished last year with 31 tackles (12 solo, 19 assisted) and ranked fourth on the team with five tackles for a loss (24 yards). He also added two sacks.
Hardy helped Liberty finish the season ranked No. 9 in the country in turnovers gained (25), No. 21 in turnover margin (0.50) and No. 24 in rushing defense (116.7 yards allowed per game).
The defensive tackle finished the CUSA Football Championship game with four stops against New Mexico State. He also recorded three tackles, including two solo stops, against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The 2024 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List showcases a balanced distribution across eligible positions: 18 defensive tackles, 17 defensive ends and 19 linebackers on defense; and 18 offensive tackles, 10 offensive guards, six offensive centers and two tight ends on offense.
This diverse group hails from the nation's top conferences: the SEC with 19 players, Big Ten with 18 players, and Big 12 with 13, and has strong representation from the ACC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Pac-12, Mountain West, MAC and Independent teams.
2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Liberty's exciting 2024 slate includes home games against AAC foe East Carolina (Sept. 21) and CUSA home games against UTEP (Sept. 14), FIU (Oct. 8), Jax State (Oct. 30) and WKU (Nov. 23).
You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.
Flames Nation will get its first look at the 2024 roster when Liberty hosts its annual Fan Appreciation Day event on Saturday, August 17. Williams Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with a scrimmage set to begin at 6 p.m.
Liberty Athletics will hold an autograph session with its football players and coaches following the scrimmage inside the Indoor Practice Facility. More details about this event will be coming soon to LibertyFlames.com and the @LibertyFlames and @LibertyFootball social media platforms.
Players Mentioned
DT
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