BEREA — Cleveland native Justin Hardee Sr. always thought he would play for his hometown Browns, but the special teams ace envisioned it happening five years from now, serving as the final stop on his NFL journey.

The timeline Hardee imagined has been expedited because the former Glenville High School football standout who made the Pro Bowl as a gunner with the New York Jets in 2022 signed a one-year contract with the Browns on April 2.

With the league adopting an overhauled version of the kickoff in March, Hardee is convinced he will prove to be more valuable in 2024 than ever. The franchise he grew up cheering for stands to benefit.

“I believe it's perfect timing, I truly do,” Hardee told the Beacon Journal on Wednesday after an organized team activity practice at Browns headquarters. “I believe in what I'm able to bring to a team, especially this type of team where I have more passion probably than anybody just because even before a lot of these guys [on the roster] were even born, I was a Browns fan. So I feel like it's perfect timing. They got me in my prime, and they got me as hungry as I ever have been in my career.”

Cleveland Browns working on what to expect from new NFL kickoff

The most popular talking point about the revamped kickoff is how it will increase returns.

From Hardee's perspective, it will also boost his chances to make stops. In seven NFL seasons, four with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and three with the Jets (2021-23), he has compiled 63 career tackles on special teams, according to the Browns. But Hardee pointed out a bevy of touchbacks on kickoffs has limited his impact. His presence has been felt most as a gunner on punt units.

“This adds a whole new element to my game that has been taken away the past few years,” said Hardee, who's listed at 6 feet, 1 inch and 200 pounds. “Now I can add it back, and I can't wait to learn and dominate.”

The Browns drilled kickoffs Wednesday in their final OTA session open to media, yet much remains unknown. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects joint practices this summer against the Minnesota Vikings and preseason games to be crucial to figuring everything out. Studying XFL kickoffs has been a priority.

Hardee, 30, said special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, assistant special teams coach Stephen Bravo-Brown and consultant Mike Vrabel have done a great job explaining the modified play.

“We're learning from them,” Hardee said. “And with my ability, I feel like I can be dangerous.

“I'm taking myself versus anybody, and that's not saying that in a cocky way. I'm just saying that I just truly believe in myself. I believe in my abilities, and I feel like that this kickoff rule, from what I've seen, I feel like I can truly take advantage of that.”

Glenville football coach Ted Ginn Sr. excited about Justin Hardee Sr. joining the Cleveland Browns

Longtime Glenville football coach Ted Ginn Sr. has a similar view. He has mentored Hardee for years and given him advice throughout his NFL tenure. Hardee graduated from Ginn Academy before playing wide receiver at the University of Illinois. He switched to cornerback in the NFL, but racing down the field to hunt return men is his calling card.

“That's how he makes his money. That's his game,” Ginn said by phone. “Everybody I've talked to, especially coaches, everybody has to prepare for him. Now the Browns don't have to prepare for him.

“In this situation with the Browns, he takes ownership coming from Cleveland and to be the example of hope for others. He's serious about his town, and he wants to bring that Super Bowl here. He still has a good chip on his shoulder to be best in the NFL.”

Hardee said there are several motivational forces in his life. One stems from an unmet expectation for a stronger market this offseason in free agency. His one-year deal with the Browns is worth $1.38 million, according to the contract tracking website spotrac.com.

“I thought I was going to be one of the guys up there, one of the highest-paid gunners,” Hardee said. “But I got hurt last year, and that's how it goes. I'm willing to accept that, and that just gives me more fire and energy to go work hard this year.

“I'm healthy. I feel way younger than what I am, and I got a real big chip on my shoulder just because my contract situation.”

Hardee missed six games last season with the Jets after reportedly undergoing hamstring surgery. He returned and played in their final six games. He finished with five special teams tackles in 11 games, per the Browns.

This offseason, Hardee said he possesses the mentality of an undrafted rookie. He was one in 2017, when he entered the league by signing with the Houston Texans.

“My mindset every day is just trying to make this team,” said Hardee, a Jets captain each of the past three seasons. “Nothing is guaranteed for me.

“I didn't make the Pro Bowl last year. Right now, I'm trying to show this team who I am every day.”

Cleveland Browns player Justin Hardee Sr. recently held a youth football camp in his hometown

Hardee has come a long way since 2017, when Ginn said he told Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland to be ready to pursue his pupil because he expected the Texans to cut him. Ted Ginn Jr. played for the Miami Dolphins during Ireland's time as the team's GM. Ireland has maintained a connection with the elder Ginn ever since. After the Texans discarded Hardee, the Saints gave him a shot, and he earned his keep in New Orleans.

Before Hardee's regular-season NFL debut, he told Ginn he wanted earrings to wear on game day. Ginn still laughs about buying Hardee $12 earrings at a mall.

“He told me to go to Claire's because I didn't get my NFL check yet,” Hardee said. “So he was just pretty much just telling me to save your money, and I appreciate him for that.”

Ginn said he's grateful for Hardee, too, especially because he gives back to the Glenville community. He recently held a free football camp for kids at Robert “Bump” Taylor Field. It was the third camp Hardee has hosted, the first since he joined the Browns.

“That was so special,” Hardee said.

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Hardee said his huge Cleveland family includes his father, retired Case Western Reserve University police chief Arthur Hardee, and his 5-year-old son, Justin Hardee Jr. He explained he plays for them, his mother, Estella Perryman, who died in 2013, and his dear friend from Glenville, Devan Bogard, who died in 2021.

“My mother and my best friend, they keep me going,” Hardee added.

Hardee is also driven by being an underdog. It has fueled him going back to his days as a member of Glenville's Division I state runner-up team in 2009.

“I wasn't even the highest-rated guy on my high school team,” he said. “I was like No. 5, and that pushed me. I never got to be the top dog. It felt good to make it to the Pro Bowl 'cause that was like my only time I felt that way, and me not getting it last year is only pushing me to go get it this year.”

Former New York Jets captain Justin Hardee Sr. is not afraid to talk about his Super Bowl goals with the Cleveland Browns

In Hardee's Pro Bowl season, he recovered an onside kick with 1:22 left to play in a Week 2 game in Cleveland, helping the Jets seize an improbable comeback victory.

“That was everything to me because I wanted to show the Browns that they didn't come [get me],” Hardee said. “Prior to this [year], I wasn't one of the guys that they were interested in. So every time I could … I'm going to show you how to pay attention to Justin Hardee.”

The Browns took note. Now the homegrown gunner is aboard and not shy about discussing Super Bowl dreams with his iconic high school coach, among others.

“Why not?” Hardee said. “We've got everything we need.”

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns' Justin Hardee Sr. eager for new NFL kickoff rules