Hardesty ready for big year

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Montario Hardesty is primed for a breakout season at the University of Tennessee.

Since joining the Volunteers, Hardesty, a 2004 graduate of New Bern High School, has dealt with several injuries.

The former New Bern star has been training hard all off-season, preparing for his third full season at running back at Tennessee. He is at full strength and it finally ready to prove himself.

But he hopes his off-season regimen this year will keep him from getting injured.

"The main thing that I am focusing on this year is going through the summer hard, pushing my body and just make sure I go into August healthy," Hardesty said. "I just want to have a healthy season because I haven't really had one yet."

Hardesty, who is heading into his junior season, received a medical redshirt his freshman season after tearing his ACL.

He returned the following season to play in 13 games. He racked up 384 yards on 107 carries and four touchdowns.

Last season, Hardesty was bothered by an ankle injury and still gained 373 yards and three scores.

"Coming into last year my knee was feeling good," Hardesty said. "It really takes about a year until you are all the way back. I've been doing extra stuff to make sure my leg strengthened so I won't get injured this year."

During the off season this year, Hardesty has been working hard in the weight room.

He also competes in 7-on-7 scrimmages and regular workouts with the rest of his teammates.

"It is definitely a lot different that high school because we have more time," Hardesty said. "They work us pretty hard during the whole year. We have winter conditioning, then we have spring camp and then you come into the summer. By the summertime you should be in pretty good shape."

Hardesty is listed as the No. 2 running back behind senior Arian Foster, giving the Volunteers a lethal backfield. However, Hardesty hopes to earn the role of starter by the end of the season.

"Me and Arian are boys," Hardesty said. "I feel like he's had some injuries and I've had some injuries. We are friends, but I definitely want to be the starting running back. The competition definitely pushes me. It is also going to make everyone better because everyone is going to be pushing each other to get better."

Hardesty has been working on the "little things" to improve his game.

"I've been really trying to work on catching a lot, so I've been trying to catch like 100 balls a day," he said. "I am working to become a better receiver. You just have to work on the little things that will make you better for the season."

Hardesty hopes he can finally play a full season so he can accomplish his goal.

"My goal is to get 1,000 yards and I want to help my team win an SEC Championship," he said. "We got to the game last year and lost, but I really want to win it this year."

The Volunteers lost in the Southeastern Conference Championship game to LSU, 21-14, last year in Atlanta.

Hardesty graduates from Tennessee in December with a degree in sports management. He is planning to start graduate school, play another season for the Volunteers and then play in the National Football League.

"I definitely want to play in the NFL," Hardesty said. "That is my immediate goal."

While playing for New Bern, Hardesty rushed for 2,002 yards as a senior after gaining 1,987 rushing yards the previous year. He scored 19 touchdowns in each of his final two seasons.

Tennessee begins the season on Monday, Sept. 1, with a national televised game against UCLA. The Volunteers opened last season with a prime-time game against California.

"We've opened up against a team from the West Coast the last two years, but as far as playing on Monday night, that definitely gets you pumped up," Hardesty said. "Everybody is going to be watching."

Adam Thompson can be reached at (252) 635-5670 or at athompson@freedomenc.com.