Why RB Ahmad Hardy Could Be Mizzou’s Next Breakout Star
On Dec. 18, Louisiana Monroe freshman running back Ahmad Hardy joined Mississippi State wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. as the second offensive Mizzoutransfer of this cycle.
With Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll using up their last year of eligibility this past fall, Hardy has the chance to take over the Mizzou backfield like he was able to in Monroe, Louisiana.
Hardy had a dominant freshman season with the Warhawks even though the team had trouble generating wins. He was one of four tailbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision to record 1,000 rushing yards after contact last season.
The three backs ahead of him — Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’sOmarion Hampton and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson — are all likely to hear their names called fairly early in this month’s NFL Draft.
In his lone season in Louisiana, Hardy generated 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on 237 carries. He also forced 93 missed tackles in 2024, which was the second most in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus.
First place? Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty.
CoCo’s) one of my horses, I have another one named Jet but yeah those are my horses, … I’m from Mississippi, I’m kind of country and a lot of these guys haven’t seen anything like that,” the running back said last week. “I’m trying to introduce those guys to it.”
Along with teammates, Mizzou head coach Eliah Drinkwitz is a fan of Hardy on and off the field.
