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Scott Harding transitions from AFL to college football

25th September, 2011
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25th September, 2011
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Foregoing the reputation of Australians in the NFL, Scott Harding has seamlessly transitioned from AFL midfielder to college football wide receiver for the Hawaii Warriors, catching six receptions for 67 yards against UC Davis on Saturday night.

With three wide receivers missing practice this week under injury clouds, Harding who has previously only been used as a punt returner, was given an opportunity at slot receiver and flourished.

Drafted by the Brisbane Lions in 2005, Harding played 48 AFL games before being delisted. He was selected in the 2009 preseason draft by Port Adelaide where he played two games before being delisted at the end of 2010.

Looking to further his sporting career, Harding joined the Prokick Australia program where he began training and eventually was invited to a tryout with the University of Hawaii, a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) within NCAA Division 1.

As the only ex-AFL player playing gridiron in a position beyond punter, Harding’s receiving ability (marking in AFL) alongside his acceleration were on full display against UC Davis.

In Hawaii’s opening offensive play, QB Bryant Moniz connected with Harding for a 36 yard gain and his first ever reception. The following play, Harding was found for another five yards.

With Hawaii up by 49-0 at the half, Harding stayed on the field as most of the second unit took over.

QB David Graves found Harding twice in the third quarter for 13 and two yards. Beside Harding’s 36 yard catch in the second quarter, his biggest came in the fourth. On UC Davis’ eight yard line, the Warriors were fourth and three. Making the clutch play, Harding caught a pass for four yards and the first down.

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Looking for Harding again on the next immediate play, Graves’ incomplete pass would have been Harding’s first ever touchdown. Graves scrambled four yards the following play scoring the touchdown.

In the end, Harding finished with six receptions from eight targets for 67 yards with a longest gain of 36. He also returned two punts for 16 and 12 yards.

Starting solely as a punt returner, Harding’s workload has been increasing over the recent weeks. Given an opportunity to return kick offs last week, he did not disappoint. Returning three kick offs for 59 yards with a longest gain of 25 Harding averaged 19.7 yards against the UNLV Rebels.

At 178cm, Harding does not possess the height of typical wide receivers but with his acceleration and ability to break tackles, we can expect a lot of yards after the catch.

As the first ex-AFL player to transfer overall football skills into gridiron, Harding will be looking to make it onto the first team at Hawaii before considering a career in the NFL.

At 25 years old, Harding is better positioned in this sense than fellow Australians Ben Graham and Sav Rocca who each set records as the oldest rookies in the league at 31 and 33 respectively.

Although impressing in his debut at wide receiver, there is no guarantee he will be given the same opportunities when others return from injury.

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Catching six of eight passes including a fourth down, Harding can expect to be used as a situational slot receiver in the future where he will work his way into the starting line-up.

As a freshman however, Harding has already achieved more than most expected by outplaying those who have played gridiron their whole lives.

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