MECOLE HARDMAN, WR, CHIEFS
What were your first thoughts finding out you will be playing with the NFL MVP and in one of the highest-scoring offenses in football?
“Oh, I was excited. I was just thankful for the opportunity to play with them and get to work. But it’s great to play with an offense like that and a quarterback like that, and a coach like Andy Reid. So, I was ecstatic.” What’s your best attribute that you will bring to the offense?
“My speed. I think that’s obvious. I think I can bring that to them. Just a playmaker in general. I can make plays deep, short. I think that will be an asset just being a playmaker.” Your Georgia teammate Riley Ridley is now with the Bears. What’s one aspect of his game you’d like to add to your game?
“I think he gets off the line very well. His release. If I can add that to my game, which I’m working on, I think I can be even more dominant. He does a great job of breaking down his routes.” What cards of yours this weekend have you thought were cool or unique?
“Some of these cards I saw, I was like, ‘Dang! I want that for myself!’ But it’s good to see people put these cards together and get to sign them.” Did you realize the college football cards were such a big market?
“I know there are a lot of college fans who enjoy the players, and being a top player in college, your card is going to be in high demand.” What did you collect growing up?
“I collected track medals. I still have a good majority of them. But I wasn’t a big collecting guy.” What all-time player would you most want to be on a football card with? “Devin Hester. at’s my favorite player, so me and him.” Who’s your early pick for Rookie of the Year?
“I think N’Keal Harry is in a good situation—Tom Brady throwing to him, and in a good offense.” What would you be doing if you were not playing football? “I think I would like to be on TV, broadcasting. I always wanted to be in a movie, too.” Any players you’re looking forward to playing against?
“I know our first game is against Jacksonville, and they have one of the best corners in the league in Jalen Ramsey. So, it will be good to go against him and see how I do against him. He’s the best at the position. Seeing Antonio Brown play in person for the Oakland Raiders, that will be fun. Seeing Aaron Rodgers in person, and Tom Brady. It will be fun to see guys like that. Seeing these guys play while in college, and now seeing them in real life will be fun.” If you had to choose, would you rather have a lot of yards or a lot of touchdowns in a game?
“Well, as a receiver, I’d rather have touchdowns. If I was a running back, maybe the yards. If we were in the red zone and you didn’t want to run the ball, you can just give me the ball.” What players still at Georgia should collectors watch out for the next couple years?
“De’Andre Swi . He’s a beast. He’s one of the best running backs in college football. He’s going to be exciting to watch this year.”