Daniel Hardy
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcat Defensive End Daniel Hardy Drafted by Los Angeles Rams in Seventh Round, Three Other Cats Land NFL Deals
4/30/2022 9:06:00 PM | Football
MSU senior joins Troy Andersen, now of Atlanta, as Bobcats drafted following 2021 season
BOZEMAN, Montana - The Los Angeles Rams drafted Daniel Hardy in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft Saturday, making Montana State one of just three NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivsion programs to produce two drafted players.
"I'm extremely proud of Daniel," said Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen. "A lot of hard work and belief put him in this position. He had an amazing senior year, and has a bright future in the NFL."
Three other Bobcats signed as undrafted free agents after the 2022 draft ended on Saturday. Offensive lineman, an All-America and First Team All-Big Sky choice, landed with the New Orleans Saints. Lance McCutcheon, a receiver who earned First Team All-Big Sky honors, signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Second Team All-Big Sky safety Tre Webb earned an invitation to the Atlanta Falcons' mini-camp.
"I'm very proud of each of these men," Vigen said. "They each followed different paths to this opportunity, but they've each worked extremely hard and have produced on the field. I'm excited for them each to take advantage of their chance."
Hardy capped a three-year Bobcat career with one of the finest defensive seasons in school history in 2021. After moving from linebacker to defensive end for his senior season Hardy earned Second Team All-America and First Team All-Big Sky honors. He started all 15 games, recording at least one tackle-for-loss in 13 of them. His 24.5 tackles-for-loss was third-most in Bobcat history and his 16.5 sacks was fourth-most. His sacks total was sixth in the FCS, and his TFL mark was ninth.
Hardy's teammate Troy Andersen, a unanimous First Team All-America, was drafted in the second round - 58th overall - by the Atlanta Falcons. Andersen and Hardy become the fifth set of the Bobcats selected in the same draft, but the highest-drafted duo. Bill Kollar (1st) and Sam McCullum (9th) prevously held that distinction in the 1974 draft.
A Beaverton, Oregon product, Hardy transferred to MSU from the College of Siskiyous after the 2017 season. The Bobcats join North Dakota State and South Dakota State as FCS programs producing three drafted players in 2021.
#GoCatsGo
"I'm extremely proud of Daniel," said Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen. "A lot of hard work and belief put him in this position. He had an amazing senior year, and has a bright future in the NFL."
Three other Bobcats signed as undrafted free agents after the 2022 draft ended on Saturday. Offensive lineman, an All-America and First Team All-Big Sky choice, landed with the New Orleans Saints. Lance McCutcheon, a receiver who earned First Team All-Big Sky honors, signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Second Team All-Big Sky safety Tre Webb earned an invitation to the Atlanta Falcons' mini-camp.
"I'm very proud of each of these men," Vigen said. "They each followed different paths to this opportunity, but they've each worked extremely hard and have produced on the field. I'm excited for them each to take advantage of their chance."
Hardy capped a three-year Bobcat career with one of the finest defensive seasons in school history in 2021. After moving from linebacker to defensive end for his senior season Hardy earned Second Team All-America and First Team All-Big Sky honors. He started all 15 games, recording at least one tackle-for-loss in 13 of them. His 24.5 tackles-for-loss was third-most in Bobcat history and his 16.5 sacks was fourth-most. His sacks total was sixth in the FCS, and his TFL mark was ninth.
Hardy's teammate Troy Andersen, a unanimous First Team All-America, was drafted in the second round - 58th overall - by the Atlanta Falcons. Andersen and Hardy become the fifth set of the Bobcats selected in the same draft, but the highest-drafted duo. Bill Kollar (1st) and Sam McCullum (9th) prevously held that distinction in the 1974 draft.
A Beaverton, Oregon product, Hardy transferred to MSU from the College of Siskiyous after the 2017 season. The Bobcats join North Dakota State and South Dakota State as FCS programs producing three drafted players in 2021.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
RB/LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
