Mecole Hardman brings elite athleticism to Georgia Football

New UGA signee Mecole Hardman brings a new dimension to the Bulldogs’ football team.

The Georgia football program had an outstanding signing day last February as they hauled in the No. 7 ranked 2016 recruiting class in the nation according to 247sports.com. The one recruit that many fans are really excited about and might be the gem of this class is Mecole Hardman.

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Hardman is a 5-foot-11, 176-pound athlete from Elbert County High School in Elberton, Ga. He is rated as a 5-star prospect by 247sports.com and has the distinction of being the No.1 athlete in the entire country.

Hardman’s greatest attribute is his speed. He ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard-dash at a recent camp held by Nike according to Bleacher Report.

While he is known for his blazing speed, Hardman is also very versatile. He played multiple positions in high school including running back, quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He was also a significant contributor to Elbert County’s special teams as a punter and return man. The incoming freshman is as true to the athlete position name as they come, and during his senior year he proved his versatility after compiling over 2,100 yards rushing and over 700 yards passing according to 11alive.com.

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He is one of the most impressive young players to watch in person. In high school, the 18-year-old was constantly changing positions and all over the field making plays on both sides of the ball. His flashy, warm and outgoing personality seems to resonate with fans too. Hardman grew up a Bulldog and has exhibited his passion for Georgia since his commitment by hanging out with his future teammates and recruiting potential players.

Kirby Smart will likely try Hardman at defensive back, wide receiver, and punt returner. He was recruited by other colleges to play on defense, but it would be difficult to not employ Hardman’s versatility on offense and special teams. He will probably be played in a way similar to former Bulldog star corner and future NFL Hall-of-Famer Champ Bailey.

If chosen to play in the receiver role, Jacob Eason should be comfortable passing with a weapon like Hardman at his disposal for the next four years. It will make the difficult task of leading the offense that much easier. Hardman will not only be dangerous on screens and sweeps but also an excellent downfield threat.

On defense, the Georgia secondary will welcome Hardman’s quickness when trying to stop opponent’s passing and rushing attacks and ability to add depth to a unit which should be one of Georgia’s strongest in 2016.

One thing Hardman is familiar with is making big plays, no matter what side of the ball he plays on.

Overall, the addition of Hardman to the Bulldog squad is a huge plus. He will add a new dimension to the team in areas where they have been lacking, and it will be interesting to see where and how his talents are used.

Fans can be sure of one thing: they’ll be hearing Hardman’s name for years to come.

Be sure to check out Mecole Hardman’s 2016 high school highlights in the video below: