UCF’s countdown to kickoff has taken a small detour, and the latest stop is wide receiver Elijah Hardy.
The Knights are working through their 2026 roster in reverse jersey-number order as the season-opener against Bethune-Cookman approaches on Sep. 3 at 7 p.m. But with no players currently wearing Nos. 62-65 and new additions arriving after the countdown had already moved past Hardy’s number, the series is pausing before it reaches No. 61 Owen Spell on July 4 to introduce Hardy now.
Hardy arrives at UCF after splitting his high school career between Miami Northwestern and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory. At Miami Northwestern, he spent his first three seasons and put together a productive junior year, rushing 62 times for 440 yards and seven touchdowns while also catching 13 passes for 196 yards. That season helped the Bulls, coached by Teddy Bridgewater, win the FHSAA Class 3A State Championship.
His senior year at Chaminade-Madonna showed a player who could contribute on both sides of the ball. On offense, Hardy rushed 15 times for 110 yards and added five receptions for 38 yards. On defense, he picked off three passes and broke up eight more.
He joins a wide receiver room that already looks crowded. UCF’s group includes returning players Duane Thomas Jr., Waden Charles and Caleb Rollerson, along with transfers Josh Derry and Jonathan Bibbs. Ric'Darious "DayDay" Farmer is also in the mix after missing all of 2025 because of injury.
Hardy’s path to playing time may not be immediate, and that could actually work in his favor. As a fall arrival who spent more of his high school snaps as a runner than a receiver, and with NCAA eligibility rules allowing him to use a redshirt as part of the last recruiting class eligible for one under the changing rules, sitting a season would give him time to settle in. It would also let him learn behind experienced options like Thomas Jr. and Derry.
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