In our Thursday sports coverage, we profiled the leadership abilities of ADM senior Jacob Hardy, a multi-sport athlete who blossomed in his first season as a starting defensive end in 2014.

There were signs Hardy was due for a breakout campaign, such as his strong work ethic and athleticism. Still, few could have predicted just how effective Hardy would wind up being.

This season, the Tigers will likely need another unknown commodity to step up and produce at a high level because they lost a large number of starters from last year’s team to graduation.

ADM defensive coordinator Bric Nelson said discovering that next breakout star is what makes coaching fun.

“There’s always your diamond in the rough,” said Nelson, who enters his sixth year as the defensive signal-caller. “You know the kids and you expect the kids that will help lead the program, and I tell you, every year you find that new one. And it’s a blessing to have a kid step up, and those are the kids that you never forget because from coming as not very well-known to putting their footprint in the program, those are fun experiences as a coach to have.”

The Tigers finished 5-5 last season and will open this 2015 campaign August 28 at Perry.