Let's face it, Chattanooga, North GA, Northeast Alabama is not a hot bed of recruiting for us. Riggs Becksvoort, QB from McCallie, Baylor OL are the only ones I can think of.
Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State and GA have out recruited us in this area. Sad but true. Chattanooga has been a hotbed for Auburn (Alabama Usually Beats Us Round November) players. Chattanooga is loaded with a wide range of mixed graduates from those schools and have a tendency to influence these prospects in another direction.
Again, Hardy is more than likely gone, I don't see CJP playing games with this one, but I might be wrong. He knows what he needs, he is a good evaluator and More than likely has moved on. He knows he can and will do better.
A kid that wants to play defense and grow should not turn down an offer from CJP and if he does then $$$ must have been laid on the table by Auburn. Don't think this kid is signed but more than 80% chance he signs with the other team.