Auburn makes it three-school battle for Hardman

Class of 2016 Rivals100 athlete Mecole Hardman is known for his outgoing personality and willingness to talk to pretty much anyone that comes his way, but it was an off-the-radar visit to Auburn that recently made headlines. Hardman said he wasn't in a rush to make the visit public knowledge because he took a businesslike approach to the visit.

"Coach (Gus) Malzahn wanted me down there bad and he wanted me to visit and he was just telling me all the things we could do in the offense," said Hardman, who doubles as an explosive wide receiver and a defensive back. "He was telling me a little more about them so I could feel comfortable with them. I had to get down there and I did and I really liked it."

Having a chance to chat with Malzahn about the Tigers' offense also gave Hardman a sense for just how dangerous he could be in the wide-open attack.

"It's crazy how many ways he can use a guy like me and get me the ball," Hardman said. "His offense in general is crazy. He's an offensive mastermind and he has a lot of crazy ideas he'd like to do with me so it was good to see."

Hardman is still being recruited by several programs to play on defense and said he doesn't have a preference when it comes to his future position.

"I don't know where I'm going to play," he said. "I feel like that I'm going to end up on defense but even if I do I think that I'm too good with the ball in my hands not to at least get a few plays on offense, maybe with a special package or something like that. Either way it wouldn't matter to me."

While Auburn was one of the few visits Hardman has taken over the past month, he plans to change that in a major way in the coming weeks.

"I want to go to Alabama on July 16 but Florida State also wants me to visit," Hardman said. "I'm still debating but if I go to Alabama and not Florida State then I'll make it to FSU another time."

One of the main reasons Hardman is working to make it to Tuscaloosa is because he hasn't had a chance to visit the Tide.

"I've never been to Alabama so this would be my first time," he said. "I just want to go out there and see what they have to offer and hopefully build a relationship with some of the coaches and see how I like it down there. And if they are having a camp I'm definitely going to work out. I can't sit and watch, I don't like that, so I will get out there and show them what I can do."

Following that trip, Hardman said he will make another visit to Georgia, with plans to stay overnight in Athens.

"I'm going to spend the night there and stay for Dawg Night," he said. "I know they're gong to be all over me to commit, not just the coaches but some of my friends like [current Georgia commits] Julian Rochester and Chad Clay. But they won't see a commitment anytime soon. I'm still planning on waiting for a while."

The following weekend Hardman then plans on being on campus at Tennessee, another trip he plans on making a multi-day stop.

"I want to get up there and stay for the weekend of (July) 24-25," Hardman said. "I want to see the new Nike stuff. I always have a good time at Tennessee and going up there is like going home so I'm going to have a ball and just chill and talk to the coaches and have fun."

Hardman has had the Dawgs and the Vols as his co-leaders for quite sometime, but said right now it's a three team race for his services.

"Auburn is right up there with Georgia and Tennessee," Hardman said. "They're all pretty close together. I'm just chilling right now. I don't really have a leader anymore."