
He never anticipated such a rude awakening.
After all, Jermarcus “Yoshi” Hardrick arrived on Nebraska’s campus in January 2010 as a touted junior-college recruit.
Judging by all those glowing newspaper articles about him, Hardrick figured he was well-prepared to play big-time collegiate football. He figured he was ready to begin his ascension to the NFL.
A lot of young players think that way, right?
Then, a veteran Husker center, Mike Caputo, kicked Hardrick out of the locker room.
“I was an early arrival on campus. I was the big recruit, and there were all these articles, but I came in and I wasn’t making my (conditioning) times — and Caputo told me to get out,” Hardrick recalls.
“We had to run 300-yard shuttles and make it in a minute and 10 seconds. I probably made it in a minute and 15 seconds or a minute and 20, and I didn’t care. I was ready to play football.”
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Or so he thought. Caputo handed him his gym bag and told him to go dress in the coaches’ locker room or wherever he could find a place. The message: Come back when you’re really ready to compete.
A native of Courtland, Mississippi (population 511), Hardrick never considered going home.
“It took me a day or two to process it, and then I just wanted to go prove myself,” he says.
In other words, Hardrick responded like a champion.
Fast forward to Friday. Hardrick, all 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds of him, slides into a booth at a Lincoln coffee shop and proudly displays his 2019 Canadian Football League championship ring. It’s gorgeous, and symbolic.
Yes, the man’s a bona fide champion.
Actually, Hardrick is a two-time champion. His Winnipeg Blue Bombers — he’s the starting right tackle, team captain and basically the face of the franchise — repeated as Grey Cup champions last season. He’ll soon receive his second championship ring.
A 13-game starter for Nebraska in 2011, Hardrick is now a 31-year-old married father of three. He’s champing at the bit for the 2022 CFL season, which begins in early June. Training camp, however, is only three weeks away. He thinks about it every day.
By the way, he didn’t start for Nebraska in 2010, and Hardrick completely understands why. In fact, he praises former Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini and former Husker offensive line coach Barney Cotton for the decision. They couldn’t fully trust him to execute his assignments during the course of a 60-minute game, Hardrick says. Oh, he was talented and strong enough to make a few highlight plays. But that’s not what Division I football is about, he says.
Hardrick kept learning. Kept pushing. Now, he sits before you as a seven-year CFL starter. A professional.
He conducts himself like a pro — he showed up early for this interview — and speaks with the wisdom of a pro.
His drive to succeed is striking, but so is his humility.
“I can’t sleep at night right now,” he says. “I’m always thinking about the guy coming to take my spot.”
After all, he says, he walked on eggshells for four or five years as he fought to stay on rosters. Coming out of Nebraska, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played in three preseason games in 2012, but was released in the final cuts. He later signed a practice-squad agreement with the New Orleans Saints, but was not re-signed the following season.
He later had stints with the BC Lions of the CFL, the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.
Then, in 2016, he landed in Winnipeg, and things began to click at an increasingly higher level.
In 2021, he was named a CFL West Division All-Star for a second time while also garnering a spot on the CFL All-Star Team, a first in his career.
Even so, he takes nothing for granted.
“You have to make the team every year,” he says. “In my league, there are no guaranteed contracts. I have to earn my check every day.”
Every day. He emphasizes that point. We can all learn from that, right? We all can learn from someone who was knocked on his heels in those early days on Nebraska’s campus in 2010. Remember, Caputo handed Hardrick his gym bag and told him to hit the bricks.
Hardrick didn’t back down. Mind you, there was no transfer portal in the college game in 2010. Doesn’t matter, though. There’s no way Hardrick would’ve jumped into it at the first sign of adversity. He’s simply not cut out that way.
These days, he works hard to maintain a comfortable life for his family. His children live in Lincoln half the year and in Canada for the other half. They’re “locker-room babies,” he says proudly.
“Nobody will ever have to tell them how hard their dad worked,” he says.
Hardrick never had a dad as he grew up in rural Mississippi. Rural? Well, his hometown didn’t have a red light until his senior year of high school.
“I was a trailer-park boy,” he says.
A trailer-park boy who loved football — truly loved it.
“I used to sit in my room in a trailer. I didn’t even know what New York looked like, or any other big city,” he says. “I would look out of my room and start crying because I wanted to play football.”
He still cries before games as he thinks back to those days.
“We had a small TV in the back,” he says. “Football is what caught my attention every time it came on. I was a big kid. Football let me hit people. It let me do things that might’ve otherwise got me in trouble.
“In a small town, you don’t have a lot to do, and it was easy to find trouble. They put a football in my hand, and my life got easier.”
Notice that he says “easier” as opposed to “easy.”
Becoming a champion is hardly ever easy.
In that regard, Hardrick to this day appreciates Caputo’s strong show of leadership in 2010.
It’s easy to understand why Hardrick appreciates it, especially with that shiny ring sitting in front of him.
Photos: All of the sights from Nebraska football’s Red-White Spring Game

Nebraska’s Jarrett Synek (16) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson looks to make a throw during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s quarterback Chubba Purdy makes a throw during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (left) strips the ball away from Evan Meyersick during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska football head coach Scott Frost looks on during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Isaac Gifford (left) strips the ball away from Evan Meyersick during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Karter Bowman, 10, of Omaha, stands outside Memorial Stadium before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Fans return to the campus of University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Brian Buschini punts the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jaquez Yant (left) is tackled by Marques Buford during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg runs across midfield during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Matthew Schuster scores during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton tackles Matthew Schuster during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Kamonte Grimes catches a touchdown pass during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Matthew Schuster celebrates during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Kamonte Grimes catches a touchdown pass during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Jarrett Synek (right) hands off the ball to Trevin Luben during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Matthew Schuster runs away after faking a handoff as quarterback Matt Masker fumbles during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg talks with head coach Scott Frost during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Kamonte Grimes (center) celebrates his touchdown with teammates John Goodwin (left) and Ty Hahn (right) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg throws the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Chubba Purdy (6) throws a pass during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Isiah Harris (right) sprints with the ball past Jimari Butler during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ru’Quan Buckley (middle) breaks through Kevin Williams Jr. (left) (72) and Ian Boerkircher during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska celebrates Jarrett Synek’s touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jarett Synek (16) (left) runs past Simon Otte for a touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s John Goodwin (right) catches a pass over Phalen Sanford during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s senior offensive analyst Ron Brown talks to the Huskers after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Matthew Schuster (left) gets tackled by DeShon Singleton during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s John Goodwin (46) prepares to block during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Matthew Schuster dives for a touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Bryce Benhart (left) blocks Caleb Tanner during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Fans watch the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Broc Bando (73) takes the field with his teammates before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson (14) takes the field before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Hunter Anthony (right) tackles Blaise Gunnerson during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Trey Palmer (left) runs away from Marques Buford during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Logan Smothers throws a ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Alante Brown (left) is chased by Nick Henrich during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Hunter Anthony (right) goes after Blaise Gunnerson during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Anthony Grant runs with the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Anthony Grant runs with the ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

William Prince (left), Nebraska’s director of players development, greets athletic director Trev Alberts during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN. Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ashton Hausmann walks off the field after an injury during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Nash Hutmacher is injured on the field during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts at the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s AJ Rollins catches a long pass as he is pressured by Derek Branch (left) and Myles Farmer (4) during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple walks off the field after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s tight end coach Sean Beckton (left) and wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Mickey Joseph coach from the sidelines during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Rahmir Johnson looks for room to run during the first half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Mickey Joseph coaches from the sidelines during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s James Carnie (center) is tackled by Simon Otte (left) and Mikai Gbayor during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Cooper Jewett (29) escapes from Seth Malcom during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple looks on from the sidelines during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jarrett Synek (16) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Kamonte Grimes looks for room to run during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Jarrett Synek (16) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Chase Contreraz kicks a field goal during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska fans cheer during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Tommi Hill looks toward the punted ball during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Zach Duval (left) and Ron Brown chat before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts walks around the field before the Red-White Spring Game on April 9 at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska’s senior offensive analyst Ron Brown walks on the field during warmups before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton (9) waits for the next down during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s coaches Donovan Raiola (left) and Mark Whipple walk to the locker room for halftime during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Nate Boerkircher (right) celebrates with Anthony Grant (23) after Grant scored the first touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Markese Stepp (30) and the team enter the field to warm up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Tommi Hill (0) and Latrell Neville (7) get ready for the next down during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Omar Brown (13) shakes hands with teammate Latrell Neville after the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Fans release balloons as a celebration for the first touchdown during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI ,Journal Star

Nebraska’s Casey Thompson (11) warms up before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska players make their way to the tunnel for halftime during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska transfer portal target Ochaun Mathis stands on the field before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star

Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander talks with former player Cam Taylor-Britt during the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Football recruit Marquise Lightfoot is seen before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Football recruit William Watson is seen on the sidelines before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Football recruits Teitum Tuioti (left) and Maverick Noonan stand by the sidelines before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Football recruits (from left) Joshua Robinson, Marquise Lightfoot and K’Vion Thunderbird are seen before the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska’s Ty Hahn (right) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Zach Weinmaster during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Nebraska football coach Scott Frost looks on during the second half of the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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