[citation needed] At Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hardy played football and basketball.

As a senior, he posted 34 catches for 710 yards and 10 touchdowns and was a Class 4A all-state selection by the Indiana Football Coaches Association.

[citation needed] His senior year, he led Elmhurst to a sectional championship, but later was defeated by Bellmont High School in the regional finals.

[citation needed] As a sophomore, he caught 51 passes for 722 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named Second-team All-Big Ten for a second straight year.

[citation needed] As a junior, Hardy caught 74 passes for 1,075 yards—ranking third in the Big Ten in both categories—and became the Hoosiers' all-time receiving leader in touchdowns (36), yards (2,690) and receptions (186).

[2] In January 2008, Hardy declared himself eligible for the 2008 NFL draft, saying "I have reached the pinnacle of my college football career.

"[3] At the NFL Scouting Combine, Hardy was a top 10 performer in the bench press, broad jump, 3-cone drill, and 20-yard shuttle.

[7] He practiced little with the Ravens during the 2011 training camp due to chronic hamstring problems, the same injury that nagged him while with the Bills.

[10] On June 7, 2017, Hardy's body was found lodged in a dam in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne, Indiana.