Hardman retains two-way status

No, Mecole Hardman is not permanently at receiver just because he was wearing a different jersey at Tuesday’s practice. At least not yet.

Hardman continues to work on offense and defense, coach Kirby Smart said after Tuesday’s practice. The sophomore wore exclusively the offense’s red jersey because more of his reps were set to be at receiver, contrary to previous days.

“This whole Mecole fascination,” Smart said, smiling. “He’s really been working at both. He just worked today at wideout, he was really going to be at wideout more, so we opted to put him in a wideout jersey.”

Another reason Hardman was getting more receiver reps Tuesday was an injury: Jayson Stanley, a junior, is out with a concussion, according to Smart.

For the first time this spring, at least during a media viewing period, Hardman was wearing a red jersey during practice, signifying full-time offensive duty.

There’s a clearer path to playing time on offense. The secondary returns each starter at cornerback and safety, and while those jobs aren’t set in stone, there’s been no sign yet that Hardman was among those pushing for a job. Especially with highly touted early enrollees Deangelo Gibbs and Richard LeCounte and five more defensive backs on the way.

Receiver, meanwhile, is where last season’s best player (Isaiah McKenzie) departed for the NFL, as did perhaps the next-fastest receiver (Reggie Davis). So there’s room for someone there.

Hardman’s background also is on offense more than defense, though not necessarily at receiver or cornerback. — SETH EMERSON, DAWGNATION