One of the most storied careers to have been cultivated out of Webb City, Missouri, but when Kiante Hardin arrived to Webb City High School in the Fall of 2010, little did he know he'd excel and flourish most on the gridiron. Ranked as the #17th best recruit in Missouri's 2015 high school recruitment class, as well as the #113 best corner in the nation (ranked by 247Sports and ESPN), Hardin's versatility as an athlete allowed for him to excel in nearly every position he was thrusted into. After his high school career under Coaching legend, 17x MSHAA Class 4/5 State Champion, HC John Roderique, Kiante would actually play for another well-known football coach in his college career- a former Webb City Cardinals' football coach as well- then, University of Minnesota's Jerry Kill.

Hardin would arrive to the University of Minnesota's football program in the Summer of 2015, listed as an 'Athlete' on the roster. The position designation was not just one of those rare "odes" to Hardin's versatility at Webb City, but an actual designation for Kiante to live up to while with the Minnesota Gophers from 2015-2017. As a freshman cornerback with the Gophers, Kiante would see action in all 13 games for the Gophers, recording 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU. Not to mention, Hardin would play an integral role in the Gophers return game, tabulating 328 all-purpose yards off of 11 kick-offs and 9 punts. He would go on to earn the team’s Outstanding Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. However, his sophomore year would boast an even better campaign on the field… In his eight total games for the Gophers, Kianted racked up 39 Tackles, 2 INT’s, and 6 PBU’s as a cornerback. Likewise, a whopping 260 kick return yards.

After some unforeseen off-the-field matters near the conclusion of his sophomore season, Kiante would ultimately revert to DII college to finish out his collegiate career. In 2017, Hardin would find himself with the Pittsburg State Gorillas program, redshirting his first season. Riddled by injury his second season in 2018 with the Gorillas, Kiante would finish strongly in his final season with Pitt State (2019)- across 11 games, Hardin nabbed 27 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, 15 PD’s, 4 INT’s, 1 TD. His resume would land him an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in 2019. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the previous years, Kiante has embraced an abundance of opportunities at the professional level, including stints in the NFL, CFL, and most recently, the USFL, playing with the Michigan Panthers of the North Division. You can follow him on Instagram @kiantehardin . Follow us on: Twitter: @strivesportsmo Instagram: @strivesportsproductions Facebook: COMING SOON TikTok: COMING SOON Follow Host Keegan Hartman: Twitter: @KeeganHartman1 Instagram: @keegoamigo (Links for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio will be provided shortly after the episode's debut on 09/10).
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Episode Timestamps: 00:01- Episode Intro (Duration: 01:00 min,)
01:05- Prologue: Kiante Hardin's Biography 08:15-
Introduction: Kiante Hardin
12:10- Growing Up in Webb City: Cardinal Pedigree
17:56- Most Desired Position?
19:42- G.O.A.T. Talk: Coach John Roderique's Impact on Kiante's Football Career
26:15- Freshman Year: Playing in the BIG 10 & for the Minnesota Gophers
31:50- Exciting Challenges: Top 3 Receivers You've Ever Faced?
35:39- How to Prepare Mentally & Physically for Dominant WR's
47:25- "Striking Gold" w/ the 49ers: First Rookie Mini Camp
55:50- A Look Ahead: Kiante's Future