4-Star DE Dorian Hardy Announces Commitment to Penn State

Penn State strengthened their defensive line ahead of the 2018 season, securing the commitment of Dorian Hardy.

The 4-star defensive end announced his decision Sunday morning.

"

Commited  #WeAre #107kStrong  pic.twitter.com/I0IX2dQEEl

— Dorian Hardy (@dtheillest1) June 11, 2017"

Hardy is the No. 26 defensive end in the country and the fifth-best DE in the east region, per Scout. According to MaxPreps, he finished with 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 37 total tackles as a junior at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey.

Last May in an interview with Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani, Hardy laid out what he was looking for when he decided with whom he'll be spending the next few years.

"I want to go to a school where they can compete for a national championship or a big bowl game every year," he said. "I want that program to be a top team every year. Other than that, just a place where I will feel comfortable and where the coaches value me. I just want to go to a place that feels like home."

Playing in the College Football Playoff or a New Year's Six bowl game every year is a high bar to set for a player at any school, but going to Penn State should give Hardy a good chance of accomplishing that goal.

Hardy doesn't yet fit the profile of a prototypical pass-rusher, but he has the potential to become a major threat coming off the edge.

He ran a 4.82-second 40-yard dash and a 4.2-second shuttle, per Hudl, so he has the speed to quickly get around offensive tackles. At 6'4.5" and 246 pounds, he's also a good size for his position, especially if he continues adding weight as he physical matures.

Hardy's physical tools will only get him so far at the next level, especially in a Power Five conference where the level of competition is generally high on a weekly basis.

He'll need some work to refine his technique, both in terms of his hand placement and the array of moves he can use to get free of his blocker.

Taking that into consideration, Hardy would benefit from a slower transition into a starting role with Penn State. While he could be productive in a limited role, it's unrealistic to expect him to provide immediate dividends after he arrives.

In another two or three years, Hardy should be poised to stake his claim as one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten Conference.