2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Clayton Hardy, DT, Roosevelt University

• Name: Clayton Hardy
• Position: Defensive Tackle
• College: Roosevelt University
• Height: 5”11
• Weight: 275
• Twitter: @54seasons_
• Instagram: @_only1clay

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

I’m explosive, play with tenacity, and strong 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I got grit with everything I do

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

I would donate to helping the poor and homeless in various communities 

Who was your role model?

Elvis Dumervil

Who is your favorite NFL team?

The Falcons

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Jett Watson

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Hypocrite 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Ms. Ervin

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?      

About 5 years ago, I was fresh out of high school and I basically pretty much didn’t really have no where to go straight out of high school. I did some networking with my high school coaches and people that they knew at colleges but in the end things didn’t workout. It was kind of hard trying to get back to playing football but I just made sure to keep on working out and continue to seek an opportunity somewhere. It took me 2 years until I finally made the decision to just go to a juco and go from there. In 2022 going into 2023 it was stressful for me and I had to manage multiple things all at once as I was finally granted an opportunity to play football again. This consisted of having to pay multiple bills and fines that was kind of unfortunate situations and also having to manage my money to still be able to get my plane ticket to fly out to Minnesota to start my football journey along with dealing with more personal situations back home in Atlanta. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

TGI Fridays

What is your favorite snack food?

Doritos 

What is your degree in?

Degree will be in Psychology 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

This one is actually kind of tough but I think I’d choose my Grannie, My mom, and my dad

What is your biggest weakness?

I have a weak spot for family, I’d do just about anything for my family without a second thought or a moment of hesitation, there the ones that can turn me into the biggest softy alive