In a thrilling announcement that reverberated throughout the college football landscape, Louisiana-Monroe’s transfer running back and distinguished On3 True Freshman All-American, Ahmad Hardy, has officially pledged his allegiance to the Missouri Tigers as of Wednesday evening.
Hardy’s inaugural season at the collegiate level was nothing short of spectacular. He bulldozed through defenses, amassing an impressive total of 1,346 rushing yards complemented by 13 touchdowns. Such achievements not only put him at the forefront among freshmen tailbacks but also heralded him as one of the top 10 running backs nationwide—a feat that truly solidifies his prowess.
According to Pro Football Focus, a remarkable statistic stands out: Hardy racked up over 1,000 yards after contact, showcasing his ability to power through tackles and continue driving the ball forward. This 5-foot-10, 205-pound dynamo certainly left an indelible mark in his first year.
In choosing the Tigers, Hardy had some stiff competition, as both Ole Miss and Kentucky aggressively courted him during his recruitment phase post-portal opening. “I’ve observed running backs like Nate Noel and the previous star, Marcus Carroll,” Hardy remarked about his aspirations. “They excelled. Their starting moments were electrifying, and I’m inclined to investigate that. I’m headed to Columbia to explore, assess my options, and discover how I can contribute to their program.” His enthusiasm for the Tigers is palpable, fueled by the team’s engaging fanbase and solid foundation of fundamental football.
With three years of eligibility left, Hardy steps into a Missouri squad that has recently faced challenges—most notably, the departure of freshman running back Kewan Lacy to the portal earlier this week, a transition that ironically led Lacy to Ole Miss. This opens the door for Coach Eli Drinkwitz and staff to welcome one of the nation’s preeminent backs.
Ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect and the No. 1 running back in On3’s transfer portal rankings, Hardy’s addition is monumental for the Tigers.
A Major Boost for the Tigers
In a flurry of activity since the transfer portal opened merely 10 days ago, Missouri has secured not just Hardy but a staggering six commitments, bolstering their roster with a significant defensive enhancement.
This influx includes two elite linebackers from the portal: West Virginia’s Josiah Trotter and Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor. Trotter, gracing the No. 3 spot in On3’s linebacker rankings, recorded an impressive 92 tackles—four of which were tackles for loss—positioning him as a formidable presence on the field. Meanwhile, Gbayor, holding the No. 5 LB rank, was a stalwart starter for the Cornhuskers with a tally of 73 tackles, three pass breakups, and 1.5 sacks during his tenure.
The wave of newcomers doesn’t stop there. Joining Hardy and the linebackers is Langden Kitchen, a defensive lineman hailing from Northwest Missouri, along with Northern Illinois safety Santana Banner and Mississippi State receiver Kevin Coleman, further enriching Missouri’s roster.
With these pivotal additions, Missouri’s ranking has surged to No. 9 in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Rankings, signaling a promising future as the Tigers gear up for the upcoming season.
