Local Sports
The Times Prep Boys Athlete of the Year
By Justin GravesTrett Hardman is looking forward to a week before Independence Day.
What does Fairview High’s rising senior quarterback have planned on those dates?
Rest, relaxation and lots of fun.
Hardman expects all of the above to happen while he’s soaking up the sun by a pool on the Emerald Coast.
Then it’s back to the daily grind of being one of the state’s top quarterback prospects.
“I can’t wait until we go on vacation,” said Hardman, who has been named The Times Boys Prep Athlete of the Year. “This has been the busiest summer I’ve ever had, so I’m looking forward to a little break.
“It can’t get here soon enough.”
Hardman isn’t exaggerating. He’s been very busy this summer. But that’s the life of a Division-I football prospect.
Hardman has been tabbed a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, and ESPNU college football analyst Tom Luginbill believes the Aggies’ rising senior is the state’s top quarterback prospect in the 2010 class.
Both are prestigious labels, but they come with a price: Very little downtime.
While most teenagers are working part-time jobs and spending time with friends — typical summer break activities — Hardman is busy traveling all over the Southeast attending college football camps and recruiting combines.
In the past two weeks, Hardman — accompanied by his father, Todd — has visited Tennessee, Alabama, Samford, UAB and Middle Tennessee State. He’s got several other trips planned, including a stop at Troy.
But the recruiting process isn’t the only thing on Hardman’s plate. He’s also taking part in offseason workouts for football, not to mention summer team camps for basketball.
“It’s been very time-consuming,” Hardman said. “That’s why I make sure to enjoy every minute of what little free time that I have.
“But all the time we’ve put into this has been worth it. I’ve enjoyed all the trips and camps we’ve gone to. It’s a lot of work, but it’s been fun.”
Even though Hardman has been tabbed one of the state’s top football prospects, he still hasn’t received any hard offers. He hopes that changes before Fairview’s season starts in August.
“I’ve gotten good feedback from a lot of places,” Hardman said. “Hopefully the offers will come soon. That way, I can get this out of the way.”
Even though Hardman has devoted a large portion of his personal time to recruiting, the star quarterback hasn’t forgotten about his other obligations to Fairview athletics.
Football may be Hardman’s primary sport, but he’s also a standout basketball and baseball player too.
After a strong junior campaign, Hardman was named co-captain on Fairview’s basketball team. On the baseball team, he plays first base and pitches.
But football is the sport that Hardman has a future in.
Last fall, the Aggies quarterback compiled over 3,000 yards passing and threw 37 touchdowns. Hardman — a two-time first-team All-State selection — has piled up more than 6,000 yards passing in two seasons as Fairview’s starting quarterback.
Hardman already owns all of Fairview’s passing records, but that hasn’t made him complacent.
“There’s still a lot of things I’d like to do,” Hardman said. “We’ve set some goals for ourselves.”
One of those goals is to take Fairview’s football program to the next level.
Fairview football has drastically improved during the past two years. The Aggies haven’t had a losing season since 2006 — a 1-9 campaign under former head coach Tim Sellers — and last fall the program made its first playoff appearance since the Mark Britton era.
Breaking Fairview’s long postseason drought was a memorable experience for Hardman. Now the Aggies quarterback wants to do something that hasn’t been accomplished since Dafford Smith was head coach.
Hardman wants to help Fairview advance past the first round.
The Aggies quarterback believes this year’s team can make it happen.
“We’ve got almost all of our starters back on offense and we had a really good spring,” Hardman said. “Everyone is excited about football season and we’ve been working really hard.
“Everything is going to start picking up next month when passing camps and stuff get started. I’m excited about this team. It’s going to be a fun season.”
Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.
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