Mississippi's Hardy, Nutt to discuss NFL

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy and coach Houston Nutt are scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss a possible jump to the NFL.

Hardy had a difficult, injury-marred season, but still managed 8.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. The talented junior has averaged more than a sack a game over the last two seasons and could go high in April's draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for April's draft is Thursday.

Hardy is not talking to reporters as he makes his decision.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Millington, Tenn., native broke a small bone in his foot during preseason practice and had surgery to repair it. After making a quick return that included a dominating performance in an upset of eventual national champion Florida and his picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Hardy appeared to re-injure the foot.

He also endured questions about his effort after defensive line coach Tracy Rocker chose to play others in his place as the season progressed, but he rallied with three sacks in a 45-0 win over Mississippi State in the regular season finale.

Hardy played in just eight games, but helped the Rebels finish tied for first in the nation with 112 tackles for loss and fourth with 39 sacks. Despite missing five games he still was third in the SEC in sacks.

Nutt told The Associated Press in earlier interviews he hopes to persuade Hardy to stay for his senior season. Though immensely talented, there are questions that he can clear up by playing an inspired senior season.

Nutt feels an extra year could have the same effect for Hardy as it did for Michael Oher, the left tackle who initially declared for the draft as a junior but backed out. He then helped Ole Miss to a No. 14 ranking and a Cotton Bowl victory and likely improved his draft status, meaning hundreds of thousands or millions more on his initial contract.

John Jerry, the immense right tackle who like Hardy asked the NFL to evaluate his possible draft position, is not expected to declare for the draft. He told The Associated Press last month he intends to stay for his senior year in an attempt to turn himself into a first-round pick.