All-State pick Justice Hardy about to make game-changing move
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Over three seasons at Wyomissing Justice Hardy has become known for his game-breaking plays, whether as an All-State defensive back, running back, receiver, or kick returner.
He’s positioned to become the all-time scoring and rushing leader in the vaunted program’s history but it appears he may never score another touchdown for the Spartans.
The junior has submitted paperwork to transfer to Wilson, where he’s sure to make a huge impact at the winningest program in Berks football history, as well as in track and field, another sport in which he excels.
Hardy’s father, Isiah Speaks, confirmed to MikeDragoSports.com that a potential move is in the works, and that his son will live with family members in the Wilson School District.
Speaks is not certain of a timetable for the move but said he believes it will happen in the near future.
If the move happens Hardy will become, arguably, the biggest transfer in Berks football history. To date, that distinction belongs to Kerry Collins, who transferred from Lebanon to Wilson as a sophomore and went on to lead the Bulldogs to their only PIAA championship-game appearance. He later quarterbacked Penn State to an undefeated season and played 17 years in the NFL.
Collins, however, wasn’t as established at this level and Hardy is at this point. Hardy was recently named Berks County Defensive Back of the Year for the second straight season and could become the award’s first three-time recipient. He’s also been nominated for the All-State team, which will be released later this month.
Hardy already has several Division I offers, from Temple, Liberty, Rice and Kent State, and is expected to get many more.
A number of issues would need to be resolved following a potential transfer, such as athletic eligibility. Because the transfer is taking place after Hardy’s freshman year his eligibility for postseason football could also be affected. Under current PIAA transfer rules he would not be eligible to play in the postseason unless he receives a waiver from District 3.
Athletically motivated transfers are not allowed by the PIAA although exceptions are granted due to family or economic circumstances.
The 5-10, 185-pound Hardy will be going from one premier program to another, and from one Hall of Fame coach to another.
Wyomissing has gone 32-7 over Hardy’s first three seasons, with a District 3 Class 3A championship his freshman season. The Spartans were 10-2 this season and ended the season ranked No. 8 in the state in Class 4A. Over the last five seasons Wyomissing has gone 60-9 with three district championships.
Wyomissing is the only Berks football program to win a PIAA championship; the Spartans went 16-0 in 2012 and beat Aliquippa for the Class 2A crown.
Wilson, of course, has long been the standard for success in Berks, in many sports. Its football program just completed its 50th consecutive winning season – the longest active streak in the state. The Bulldogs went 9-3 and reached the district semifinals this season. They won their record 30th Lancaster-Lebanon League section title last year.
Wyomissing is coached by Bob Wolfrum, whose 382 wins in 39 seasons are the most in Berks history and rank No. 6 all-time in Pennsylvania history.
Wilson is coached by Doug Dahms, who just completed his 20th season as Bulldogs head coach and 50th on the staff. His 205 victories are third-most in Berks history and his winning percentage (.813) is the highest.
Hardy was a first-team running back selection in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League after rushing for a team-high 979 yards and averaging 10.7 yards per carry. He also led the team with 19 TDs and led the team in receptions for the third straight season.
Over three seasons he has averaged 9.7 yards per carry, rushed for 2,246 yards and scored 46 touchdowns. He’s less than 1,000 yards away from the program rushing record and 13 TDs away from the program record in that category.
Hardy broke into Wyomissing’s starting lineup on defense as a freshman, and following that season Wolfrum compared him favorably to Max Hurleman, who played at Notre Dame and is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hardy showed off his all-around game in 2024 at Twin Valley, which was unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the state at the time. He rushed for a career-high 196 yards on 16 carries with a pair of scores and had a pair of critical receptions on the way to a program-record 297 yards from scrimmage. The Spartans won 34-24.
“His versatility is a huge asset to our team,” offensive line coach Steve O’Neil said before this season. “We can move him seamlessly from halfback to wide receiver, from cornerback to safety, depending on what we need.”
Hardy ran a 10.87 at the Firing Meet last spring and was the second-fastest underclassmen in both the 100 and 200 finals, behind Wilson’s Jaiden Carpenter.
