as a junior, he registered 80 tackles. during his time at illinois, the fighting illini had a number of outstanding linebackers. in the 1994 season, the four linebackers in coach lou tepper's 3–4 defense were hardy, fellow butkus award winner dana howard, future nfl player john holecek, and simeon rice. because of this, hardy was often overlooked as a linebacker. at his position, he was not prolific in accumulating tackles like howard, or in quarterback sacks as was rice, who as a "rush linebacker" played on the line of scrimmage like a defensive end.