Hardin hopes to emulate Dressler
REGINA — Greg Hardin is playing follow the leader with Weston Dressler.
Hardin was a star receiver with the University of North Dakota from 2010 through 2013. Hardin joined UND three years after Dressler had completed his recordsetting career with North Dakota before signing with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Fast forward to 2015 and Hardin is once again following in Dressler’s footsteps, this time with an eye toward landing a job with the Riders.
Hardin, whose signing was announced on March 13, will be in Bradenton, Fla., today for the Riders’ threeday mini-camp. Dressler, a veteran slotback, will also be there, leading to a reunion of the UND record-setters.
“It’s a good storyline because we went to the same school and we played the same position,” Hardin said from his off-season home in Omaha, Neb. “What he’s done up there is great. If I could have a career like he’s had, it would be quite the accomplishment.”
Dressler made an impact with the Riders in 2008, when he was named the CFL’s most outstanding rookie. He was relatively unknown until lighting it up at training camp. Hardin has already earned comparisons to Dressler because of their similar backgrounds.
“No one knows who I am, really,” Hardin said. “You have to earn your name wherever you go.”
Dressler graduated from UND as the school’s all-time leader in catches (243), receiving yards (3,382) and touchdowns (38). Hardin surpassed Dressler’s record in receiving yards (3,583) while finishing with 221 receptions and 32 touchdowns.
Hardin was aware of Dressler’s CFL accomplishments while playing with UND.
“In my first couple of years at UND, people told me about how they had a really good receiver in Weston Dressler,” said the 24-yearold Hardin. “One of our coaches played with Weston and he told me if I kept playing well, I could have a chance to play at the next level. It’s strange how things have worked out that I will have a chance of playing with him at the same time.”
Physically, Hardin and Dressler are similar. The 5-foot-11 Hardin is three inches taller than Dressler and, at 175 pounds, is four pounds lighter than Dressler’s listed weight. Hardin averaged 16.2 yards per catch with UND, compared to Dressler’s 13.9. Both players are solid returners as well as accomplished receivers.
Neither Hardin nor Dressler garnered much attention from the NFL despite their outstanding collegiate careers. Dressler had to prove himself in the CFL before signing with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs after sharing in the Riders’ 2013 Grey Cup victory. Dressler was released by the Chiefs in late August and quickly re-signed with the Riders.
Hardin signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos after being bypassed in the 2014 draft. He dressed for three pre-season games with Denver before being released.
Jeremy O’Day, Saskatchewan’s assistant general manager, preached caution before getting too caught up in the similarities between Hardin and Dressler.
“It’s a natural thing whenever anyone beats someone’s record that he will be better than the last guy we got from there,” O’Day said. “A lot of things have to happen in order to become a successful pro. You have to be given the opportunity and sometimes things have to go your way.”
An opportunity is all that Hardin was seeking when he signed with the Riders.
“I’m excited to get the chance to play because nothing is guaranteed,” Hardin said. “They didn’t have to sign me or even invite me to the mini-camp. I’m excited about the opportunity and I want to make the most of it.”
“IT’S STRANGE HOW THINGS HAVE WORKED OUT THAT I WILL HAVE A CHANCE OF PLAYING WITH [DRESSLER] AT THE SAME TIME.”
GREG HARDIN