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Derek Hardman Photo by Jim Cooper

Last year it was Tennessee Tech.

As he dropped into his stance a couple of weeks ago, Derek Hardman looked across the line of scrimmage and saw the Miami Dolphins.

"It was different lining up and seeing those helmets," Hardman said. "You just have to think that it’s the same game you’ve played for years."

Hardman played at Roane County High, graduating as a two-time Class AA all-stater in 2005. He signed with Eastern Kentucky University and was a four-year starter at offensive tackle for the Colonels after a redshirt season.

Hardman’s college career ended with a multitude of honors, including being named a first-team all-American in FCS, the Football Championship Subdivision formerly known as Division I-AA.

Some experts projected the 6-6, 300-pounder as a late round NFL draft pick, but his name was not called. He received plenty of calls as soon as the draft ended and chose a free agent deal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one of several teams that were interested in his services.

Hardman, who already has a business degree, took the spring semester off from graduate school to concentrate on improving his NFL prospects at a special training facility in Nashville, Tenn., that drew players including Tim Tebow, a Denver Broncos draft selection and former Heisman Trophy winner. He got his first taste of the big time during rookie mini-camp in May and then took part in additional practice sessions in the summer.

Several free agents fell by the wayside, but Hardman was invited back for camp this month. The Bucs wrapped up two-a-days last week.

“We’re all living in a hotel,” Hardman said of the routines for two-a-days. “We wake up and catch the bus at 6:30 and hope to get home before nine (that night). That would be a good day.”

Along with the two on-field practices, hours were devoted to meetings and film sessions with position coaches.

“There’s no waste of time,” Hardman explained. “There’s always something to do. It’s a full-time job if you’re going to make it. Mentally and physically, it’s a whole different game.”

Hardman said the mental aspect of the NFL has been the most challenging part of trying to make the team.

“Wrapping my head around the playbook has been the hardest,” he said. “There’s a lot to think about before the ball’s snapped.”

Once the ball is snapped, even in practice, the competition is fierce. Hardman said he had gone up against top draft picks Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, defensive linemen from big school programs Oklahoma and UCLA, respectively.

“They’re impressive,” he said of the talented rookies. “I can see why they’re high draft picks. (His teammates) are some of the best athletes in the world. Every day is a challenge.”

Some of his more established teammates have also made an impression on Hardman, both on and off the field. He said he enjoys watching running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams joke around in the locker room.

“Watching Josh Freeman throw the ball… It’s not like I’ve seen a quarterback like that up close and personal,” Hardman said. “And (defensive back) Ronde Barber. He’s so quick coming off the edge.”

Hardman’s NFL experience moved to another level on Aug. 14 when the Bucs visited Miami’s Sun Life Stadium to play the Dolphins in the preseason opener. His wife, Brittany, and parents, Tom (his high school coach) and Jane were among those in the stands to watch his debut on the rainy evening. He played in three second-half series.

“It was beautiful,” he said of the stadium. “And I was happy with the way I played. I saw a lot of things I could do better, and hopefully (next time) I will.”

He joked about being flagged for a holding call and hearing his number called, although it was probably not the best way to have heard it.

Hardman is listed third on the depth chart at right tackle, behind veteran starter Jeremy Trueblood and Demar Dotson, who is in his second year. There are 13 linemen on the current 80-player roster, with nine or 10 figuring to make the final cut. The roster must be reduced to 75 players by this weekend and then to 53 before the regular season opener Sept. 12 against the Cleveland Browns.

Unlike veteran players, Hardman has no photo with his brief bio on the Bucs official Web site. As an undrafted free agent, he knows his time with the team could be tenuous. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t giving his NFL dream his best shot.

Who knows? Maybe he can look forward to looking across the line of scrimmage and seeing more of those familiar helmets he’s seen on TV.

“I’m going to see how far I can take it,” Hardman said. “If things don’t work out, I’ll be OK with it. If they do, well, I’m really looking forward to it.”