Daequan Hardy is adapting to life with Manny Diaz as the Penn State defensive coordinator, and he’s already noticed one thing from Diaz — his energy.

“Jamari Buddin made a good tackle in a live period and the first guy running on the field to him was Manny Diaz,” Hardy told reporters on Tuesday.

Hardy on 4 Penn State defenders who have impressed him this spring are safety Ji’Ayir Brown, cornerback Kalen King, defensive tackle Zane Durant and linebacker Kobe King. About the cornerbacks in general, Hardy said he feels like the group is more together.

“We’re pretty younger, but we have a lot of talent and a lot of potential to do greater things than what we did last year,” he said. “I really like how our DBs are locked in and focused.”

Transfer wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley has also caught Hardy’s eye: “He’s really quick & nifty in his routes.”

Tinsley, who transferred from Western Kentucky, made 87 receptions last year for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns, and averaged 100.1 yards receiving per game with 16.1 yards per reception.

Hardy himself is coming off a season in which he appeared in 13 games with 1 start. He was Penn State’s primary nickel cornerback, and made 16 tackles (11 solo) with 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, including 1 returned for a touchdown, and 7 pass breakups.

H/T Audrey Snyder, Spencer Ripchick and Daniel Gallen.