Name: Brooklyn Hardiman
School: Colorado Mesa/Northern Arizona University
Position: LB
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 225

What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

Coming into my final season as a grad transfer, my off the field goals were to achieve straight A’s in the classroom and also work to get to know my teammates better. I am on track to achieve a 4.0 with one week of school left and also felt I created some long-lasting relationships with some of my teammates. My on-field goals were to become an impact player immediately and master the playbook quickly. Finishing in the top 5 in tackles and learning a new playbook in a few weeks, as well as starting, I felt I accomplished these goals.

Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?

I was grateful for this extra year as I used it to become more of a student of the game along with becoming bigger, faster, and stronger.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

I believe my coaches and teammates would say I am a violent, fast, and smart player who leaves everything he has on the field.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

One of the first aspects I cue in on is the tendencies of the opposing team’s offensive coordinator. These tendencies can include favorite plays he likes to call, the frequency of these calls and possibly any patterns in his play calling. Next, I turn my focus to the players I’ll be facing, specifically offensive lineman, QB/RBs and WRs. When studying the players, I look for subtle tendencies they give off that can give me an advantage on making a play. These include body language before and after the play, their pre-snap alignment, the technique they use, their effort, and in general, their athletic ability. Lastly, I study how the rest of my defense plays. If I know the jobs of my D-Line and Secondary, I can do my job better and ultimately make more plays for the team. Any little thing I can pick up on might be the difference between making a big play in a game or not.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

What separates me, knowing there are many great LBs across the nation, is that I will always bring physicality to the play, instead of waiting for it to come to me. I can also cover as well, as I have a safety background. This has boosted my versatility. Throughout my college career I have played ILB, OLB, SS/FS. Wherever the coaches put me, I learn the position and make an impact.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

My offseason plan is to continue to increase my size, strength, and speed as I train for my pro day. Overall, I look to improve on an aspect of my game everyday because being complacent means you lose.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

In regards to on the field, I think of myself as an unselfish teammate. I pride myself in putting the team’s best interest before what I want to do. Also, I am a player who is very coachable. I take criticism well as I never take it personal, but instead look at what I can do better and ultimately, how I can help our team win. I also am a versatile player who will play wherever a coach needs me. As I stated earlier, whatever position I am in, I learn my role and then go make an impact for my team. Off the field, I want my teammates to see I am a man of high character and integrity. I strive to be a productive member of society, and help others who have less than me.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

Coming from JUCO to where I am now, I believe everything happens for a reason and I did not make it this far for lack of one. With me, you will get a fast, physical, relentless and coachable player who will come to work everyday hungry to make an impact wherever need be, learn, improve and be pushed passed their limit by both teammates and coaches.