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.
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.
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.
Disbeliever
Guest
If I was Harding I wouldn't be worrying too much about the NFL when he can't even get a game for Hawaii. Plus he is 7 years older than all the other freshman and seen action in ONE game!!!!!!! Benji Marshall = Michael Vic or Cam Newton??? Crazy. Benji Marshall is 5 inches and 20 kilos of pure muscel short!!!!! The majority of NFL running backs and wide receivers would be on the Australian track team. So no Greg Inglis would not be a good running back. In fact he would be a terrible one. The only position that AFL and NRL players would be ok at are Tight Ends. Kurt Tippet and Jon Brown would be ok there. As would Inglis. I think people under estimate how athletic the NFL and College sports are. Florida are and Miami would have 10 players each that would be faster than any person alive in Australia.
Kevin Riley
Guest
Scott Harding story from America http://bleacherreport.com/articles/869169-hawaii-football-australian-scott-harding-earns-his-wings-in-american-football
Train Without A Station
Guest
Didn't Paul Sironen play there as a Linebacker also in the mid to late 80s?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Just noticed Hawaii actually has three Australians on their roster, an offensive linesman, a punter and Hardings. Not a bad showing!
RebelsRanger
Guest
NRL players would be best suited to American football me thinks.. Greg Inglis (when he was with us at the Storm) looks of the same cut as Adrian Peterson, Jarryd Hayne could be awesome as a kick returner/ halfback.. Israel Folau is your prototype receiver and Billy Slater reminds me of Darren Sproles. And I think Benji Marshall could have been in my mind a Michael Vick/ Cam Newton type QB
Lucan
Guest
He struggled with discipline and maturity during his time in the AFL football. College studies + football will be a huge commitment for the kid. Hope he proves me wrong.
SpearTackle
Roar Rookie
Great to see NFL coverage on The Roar. Even better to see Australians succeeding at high level gridiron in a position beyond punter. I have no doubt more players would be able to make the switch if they desired too, even if they did it purely for the money. Buddy Franklin and Travis Cloke would be amazing wide recievers. Chris Judd and Billy Slater would be a freak running backs. Cornerback is a position I think AFL players should start looking into. Defenders with good closing speed should give it a shot. I hope we start seeing more Australians (code switchers or not) in the comming years in America.
Simmo
Guest
Jesse Williams played gridiron in the Brisbane league as well. The US colleges do scout here, but we don't have a broad or deep enough talent pool to regularly send over D-1A players (well, in positions other than punter).
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Nice to hear of someone getting picked up from a local league :)
Simmo
Guest
cool - but to be accurate it should be: college footbaaawwww
Simmo
Guest
Also should mention that Hawaii recruits Australians more than any other college program. Colin Scotts was drafted into the NFL from Hawaii as a DE. Mat McBriar who punts for the Cowboys also went through Hawaii. There was also a player there who was recruited from the Sydney gridiron league a few years back
Jay
Guest
Is this the fellow who's the brother of Karmichael Hunt's girlfriend? If so, would be surprising if Hunt plays more AFL games than he did.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Poor UC Davis...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I've fixed that title - slipped through!
Simmo
Guest
Also, did anyone watch LSU at WVU? The Bayou Bengals have an Aussie punter who was as much of a star as a punter can be in that game. Put the Mountaineers inside their own 10 about 4 times IIRC. And Alabama has a Queenslander in it's defensive line, a blue chip recruit from a JuCo in Arizona - Jesse Williams. Haven't seen him play yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CxTnoKfW5s
Alfred Chan
Expert
Just 2 footnotes: 1. The title of this was originally "Scott Harding transitions from AFL to College Football". I am aware there is no such thing as college NFL. Not sure why the title was changed. 2. Hawaii won the game 56-14.
BigAl
Guest
Thank you for this Alfred, very interesting, this guy has totally slipped under my radar - can't even recall him from his AFL days