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2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Taeson Hardin, DB, College of Idaho

Taeson Hardin the play making defensive back from the College of Idaho recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of Draft Diamonds.
Taeson Hardin the play making defensive back from the College of Idaho recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Taeson Hardin
  • Position: DB
  • College: College of Idaho
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 195 lbs
  • Twitter: @fybtae1

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

When I was a kid in youth football and I scored 6 touchdowns in a game I just knew that this game was meant for me and that this is what I wanted to be.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

One of my favorite moments from my football life happened my sophomore year of college, I remember first game of the season I picked off the ball and returned it like 40 yards but ended up running into my teammate before I scored and my DB coach would clown me about it all the time…fast forward to the playoffs, we are playing Ottawa and I pick the ball off with like a minute left before half and as soon as I get the ball all I could think about is how I didn’t score first game when I returned the ball back and so I started racing down the sideline and as I’m going my DB coach is telling me to get out of bounds and I have one of those “ F that “ moments and I sprint down the sideline and end up scoring a 46 yard TD right before half and I go to the sideline and my DB coach Shiloh Keo looks at me and I look at him and say “Coach you know I had to get that one back from game 1” we ended up winning that game 70-23 and that’s definitely one my favorite football moments so far in my career.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Going Forward I definitely want to make the All Pro team a few times, I feel like being an All Pro is one of the best accolades you can receive every year that acknowledges that you one of the best in the game.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

If I could hangout with any player it would be Tyrann Mathieu because I’ve been watching him since he was at LSU and he’s been a dawg and got that mindset to go get it everytime and that always stood out to me about him. Definitely would want to pick his brain for a day.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My Pops inspires me the most because since I was young I’ve always wanted to make my Pops proud and he and my mother give me another reason everyday to go grind and get it and put myself in a position where I can do for my parents, what they have always done for me.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

For me being a DB, the nickel defense is my favorite because as a safety it gives me opportunity to play strong safety, FS and rover.

What should we know about Taeson Hardin the person?

I’m a very humble person, I’m a big family guy and really stay to myself for the most part. People might say I’m boring but I really just like to be around the people that make me comfortable and allow me to be myself.

What stands out about your film the most?

What stands out about my film is how I’m all over the field, I’m either making plays in the air or on the ground, it just shows that I’m not a one dimensional player and I can be used all over the field and that also just speaks and shows how much I understand the defensive schemes of the game.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I evaluate how I can go about the challenges I face whether it’s on the football field or life and I put my head down and grind to get through the challenges I face. I’ve never been the type to run from a challenge in my life, I always tell myself I’m going to get through it one way or another.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Any team that gets me is getting a grinder and smart player. I’m a guy that’s always trying to play smart ball that’s going to put me in the best positions to make plays for my team and I’m also going to make an immediate impact no matter where I go. Coaches are going to see that I put my head down and work.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the physicality of the game, I’ve always been an aggressive and serious kid since I could remember so the physical play has always attracted me.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

I’ve played with a lot of underrated players but my brother Dorian is definitely the most underrated player to me, in my opinion he should of been an All American 3 times and I felt like a lot of players/coaches were sleeping on him even though he would lockdown your best receiver each and every week and he’s been doing it since high school. So I definitely think my brother should’ve had way more accolades then what they gave him.

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