Reports: Former Hoosier Wide Receiver James Hardy Found Dead

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

It is a sad day in Hoosier Nation as FortWayneNBC.com's Kayla Crandall reported that a body found in the Maumee River in Ft. Wayne on Wednesday evening has been identified as former Hoosier standout James Hardy. Hardy played wide receiver for the Hoosiers from 2005-2007 and helped lead the Hoosiers to the Insight Bowl in 2007. Hardy still sits a top of the IU record books for most career receiving yards (2,740), career receptions (191), career receiving touchdowns (36), single season receiving touchdowns (16), and single game receiving touchdowns (4). 

Hardy was drafted 41st overall (2nd Round) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2008 NFL drat. He played sparsely over two seasons with the Bills making 10 catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He would end his NFL career in 2011 after a very brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens.

According to the article Hardy, a Ft. Wayne native, "was found in the Maumee River on Wednesdy Afternoon" and that "a water plant worker noticed a foul smell coming from the North side of the Hosey dam and after further inspection, he discovered a body trapped in the log jam."

The Allen County Coroner's Office is still looking into the cause of death according to Crandall. James Hardy was 31 years old.

We'll have more details as they are made available.