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The Bengals drafted Arizona State defensive tackle Marcus Hardison with their second of two fourth-round pick in this year's NFL draft.
They now have Hardison under contract for four years after the team announced his signing on Monday.
Hardison led Arizona State with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss to go with 53 tackles this past season. He also forced six turnovers (three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery).
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At his Pro Day, Hardison clocked in 4.8s in the 40-yard dash, and ran the short shuttle in 4.65 seconds and 3 cone drill in 7.29 seconds. All of those are very fast for any defensive lineman, let alone someone who will play on the interior in the NFL.
After a JUCO stint at Dodge City Community College, where he compiled 96 tackles and seven sacks in two seasons, Hardison made the move to big-time college football. He had limited production as a junior adjusting to D-1 football, but exploded this past season, and now he's quietly one of the top defensive tackles in this draft.
Hardison should be a solid rotational tackle who can help give the Bengals the kind of pass rush it was lacking last year. He may even be in for a move to defensive end at some point, but for now, a