Pittsburgh Steelers sign former Pa. high school star, Penn State cornerback

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed cornerback Daequan Hardy to their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Hardy tried out for the Steelers on Tuesday and inked a contract shortly after that, replacing the recently released Beanie Bishop.

A Penn State product, Hardy was a sixth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills out of the Nittany Lions’ program in 2024. He spent the entire 2024 season in Buffalo, but was released in August. Now, he joins his hometown team.

Hardy, a five-year contributor at Penn State, played mostly at slot cornerback and was a second-team All-Big-10 selection in his final collegiate season where he broke out and put himself squarely on the map as an NFL prospect.

He finished that season with two interceptions, seven pass deflections, and 22 tackles. Hardy also did some of his best work on special teams and can punt and kick return if the Steelers would need him in those areas.

Hardy was a three-star prospect coming out of Penn Hills High School in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. This is a homecoming for the WPIAL product, who Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has known since he played in high school. Hardy played with Tomlin’s son, Dino, in some of their 7-on-7 local teams.