Mizzou's New RB Transfer Expected to Make Immediate Impact
Mizzou's newest addition to the backfield is already turning heads ahead of the 2025 season.
Ahmad Hardy, a running back transfer from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, committed to the Tigers last December. He enters Columbia as the highest-graded returning SEC running back for 2025, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Mississippi native was one of the most sought-after backs in the transfer portal, receiving interest from SEC programs like Ole Miss and Kentucky. 247Sports ranked him as the No. 6 running back in this year's transfer portal class.
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Ultimately, Hardy said the decision to choose Missouri felt natural.
'I feel like Mizzou was home,' Hardy said. 'They were saying the right stuff, and the coaches and staff, they did their job. And the players, they welcomed me in.'
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound back fills a critical need for the Tigers after the departures of Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll, who combined for 1,413 rushing yards in 2024. Their production helped Mizzou to a 10-3 finish and a Music City Bowl win over Iowa.
Running back Ahmad Hardy (22) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers.© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hardy, a sophomore, had a standout freshman season at ULM, rushing for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on 237 carries, an average of 5.7 yards per carry.
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He earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Sun Belt honors, topping 100 rushing yards in eight of his 12 games and scoring in all but two.
He also caught eight passes for 72 yards, showing his versatility out of the backfield. Perhaps most impressively, Hardy forced 94 missed tackles, the second-most in the nation behind All-American and Heisman contender Ashton Jeanty.
Known for his tough, physical running style, Hardy is a natural fit for Missouri's wide-zone offensive scheme—one he already thrived in at ULM.
'We run outside zone like I did at my old school,' Hardy said. 'So I feel like I'm perfecting my craft."
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Hardy is already emerging as one of Mizzou's most intriguing breakout candidates for the fall, and a name fans will want to keep an eye on.
Related: Four-Star Sunshine State WR Announces Commitment to Mizzou
Related: Missouri Tigers Crack Top 25 of ESPN's Power Index Rankings
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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