IU’s all-time touchdown receptions leader selected right after teammate Porter

The first day of the NFL draft lasted for several hours.\nBut all the excitement for former Hoosiers James Hardy and Tracy Porter happened in less than 20 minutes.\nMoments after the New Orleans Saints picked Porter with the 40th pick in the draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Hardy with the 41st pick. \nHardy, IU’s all-time record holder in receptions and touchdown catches, left the Hoosiers a year early after winning the team MVP award last season.\nBefore the draft several NFL experts projected Hardy in the late first round. Todd McShay of ESPN.com predicted Hardy to go as high as the 20th pick a few days before the draft.\nEugene Parker, Hardy’s agent, said he hoped Hardy was been drafted higher but also said Hardy was eager for the chance to play in Buffalo.\n“It’s just an honor to be drafted,” Parker said. “Obviously we were hoping to go as high (in the draft) as possible, but (Hardy’s) happy.” \nBuffalo did not have a wide receiver with more than five reception touchdowns last season. Hardy finished with 16 touchdowns last season and is likely to compete for one of the starting receiver positions as a rookie.\nThe Bills choice of selecting Hardy garnered approval from the experts covering the draft in New York City. \nDraft expert Mel Kiper Jr. cited Hardy’s basketball background and his ability to out-leap defenders as his greatest strengths. Kiper said Hardy’s 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine improved his draft stock.\nParker said that Hardy’s 6-foot-6 frame enticed Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Hardy’s presence on the field is expected to complement former Wisconsin star receiver Lee Evans, who’s a smaller, faster receiver. \nParker said Jauron and Hardy talked during the Combine, and Jauron felt Hardy’s ability to out-reach defenders could be a weapon for the Bills offense.\n“I couldn’t stop crying,” Hardy told Buffalo reporters on a conference call. “I’m not a very emotional guy, but it’s just something that’s surreal.”\nLast season Buffalo finished 7-9 and in second place in the AFC East behind the conference champions New England Patriots. Hardy is set to a join a young offensive nucleus in Buffalo that includes 22-year-old running back Marshawn Lynch and 24-year-old quarterback Trent Edwards. \nEdwards and Lynch were both rookies last season and each saw significant playing time. \nEdwards, who will likely be Hardy’s new quarterback next season, started the last five games of last season, throwing six touchdowns and three interceptions. \nMichigan and IU were the only teams from the Big Ten to produce two first-day draft selections.\n“We are extremely proud of both Tracy and James,” IU coach Bill Lynch said in a statement. “They gave everything they had to Indiana University and have been rewarded for all of their efforts. We congratulate them and look forward to watching their NFL careers for many years to come.”