Rolijah Hardy

Illinois

Sep 20 (Sat)

7:30 p.m.

BLOOMINGTON, IN - August 30, 2025 - linebacker Rolijah Hardy #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Old Dominion Monarchs and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Cooper Shannon/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Cooper Shannon/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - June 03, 2025 - linebacker Rolijah Hardy #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during football photo week at Henke Hall of Champions at in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - July 30, 2025 - linebacker Aiden Fisher #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers and linebacker Rolijah Hardy #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during Fall Camp at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

Position:
LB
Ht./Wt.:
5-11 / 225
Year:
Freshman
Hometown:
Lakeland, Fla.
High School:
Lakeland
Prev School:
Naval Academy Preparatory School

Career Notes & Records
Attended Lakeland (Fla.) High School before spending one year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 2023 ... Made collegiate debut in the season opener versus FIU (8/31) in 2024 ... Made first collegiate start against Nebraska (10/19) ... One of 12 true freshmen to debut in 2024 and one of five not to redshirt ... One of six Hoosiers to make first collegiate start in 2024 ... Returned first career interception for a touchdown and is first true freshman with an interception return for the touchdown since Jameel Cook Jr. versus FIU in 2015 ... Forced a pair of turnovers against Western Illinois (FF, INT; 9/6) and is the first IU defender with two turnovers forced since 2022.

2025 (Sophomore Season)
Season: Started three games.

Old Dominion (8/30): Posted four tackles - three solo. Kennesaw State (9/6): Made three tackles ... Combined with Aiden Fisher on a first-quarter tackle for loss. Indiana State (9/12): Chipped in two tackles.

2024 (Freshman Season)
Season: Appeared in all 13 games with four starts ... Made collegiate debut in the season opener versus FIU (8/31) ... Made first collegiate start against Nebraska (10/19) ... One of 12 true freshman to debut in 2024 ... One of six Hoosiers to make first collegiate start in 2024 ... Returned first career interception for a touchdown and is first true freshman with an interception return for the touchdown since Jameel Cook Jr. versus FIU in 2015 ... Forced a pair of turnovers against Western Illinois (FF, INT; 9/6) and is the first IU defender with two turnovers forced since 2022.

FIU (8/31): Made collegiate debut on special teams ... Also saw time on defense ... Totaled two tackles. Western Illinois (9/6): Logged two tackles ... Grabbed first career interception and ran 12 yards for the score in the fourth quarter ... Posted first tackle for loss on a sack-fumble in the fourth quarter to set up the final score of the game on the ensuing drive after his pick-six. Charlotte (9/21): Chipped in two stops. at Northwestern (10/5): Made two tackles ... Posted a solo tackle for loss in the fourth quarter. Nebraska (10/19): Helped the defense hold Nebraska to just 70 yards rushing to mark the fifth opponent held under 100 yards rushing on the year ... Grabbed second interception of the season in the fourth quarter and returned it 6 yards to set up IU’s final scoring drive. at Michigan State (11/2): Posted three solo tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss ... Made solo tackle behind the line second quarter ... Stopped Ryan Eckley for a 9-yard loss on fourth down to lead to Indiana’s fifth touchdown drive of the game in the fourth quarter. Michigan (11/9): Had one tackle. at Ohio State (11/23): Totaled three tackles. Purdue (11/30): Part of a defense that help Purdue to a program-low 67 yards of total offense ... Limited the Boilermakers to just 13 yards rushing to mark the eighth opponent in 2024 held under the 100-yard mark ... Posted two tackles ... Forced a fumble on a solo tackle for loss in the fourth quarter that led to IU’s final score of the game. at Notre Dame (12/20): Chipped in four stops ... Combined on a tackle for loss with Aiden Fisher in the third quarter.

Prep/Personal
Linebacker for head coach Marvin Frazier at Lakeland High School his final two prep seasons … Played first two prep seasons at Winter Haven High School … Helped LHS to the 2022 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4S state title … Named The Ledger Big School Defensive Player of the Year … Garnered Polk County All-Sports Awards Male Athlete of the Year as a senior … Totaled 101 tackles (69 solo) with 11.5 tackles for loss as a senior … Missed parts of his sophomore and junior season due to injury … Also lettered in basketball and track and field … Named first-team all-state in basketball as a senior … Son of Felicia and Roger Hardy … Has two sisters, Trinity and Serenity, and one brother, Derajah … Sister, Trinity, is currently a member of the Army women’s basketball program … Brother, Derajah, signed to play football at Navy in 2024 ... Spent 2023 as part of the Naval Academy Preparatory School.