Every season, college football introduces a new name that goes from unknown to undeniable. In 2025, that name is Ahmad Hardy.
The Missouri sophomore has erupted onto the national stage, leading the country in both rushing yards and yards per game. Through ten games, Hardy has racked up 197 carries for 1,346 yards and 15 touchdowns, stamping his name alongside the elite runners in the sport.
What makes Hardy so captivating is the completeness of his game. He runs with patience, waiting for blocks to develop, but once he commits, he hits the hole with purpose. There’s a subtlety to his vision, a natural understanding of leverage, angles, and how to make defenders hesitate just long enough.
Then comes the burst. Then comes the power. And then, usually, comes the scoreboard operator reaching for more points.
Missouri has quietly built one of the most balanced offenses in the SEC, and Hardy is the engine. When he gets rolling, the entire team settles in around him. His carries control tempo. His yards keep the Tigers on schedule. His touchdowns swing games.
Despite being only a sophomore, Hardy plays with the maturity of a senior and the hunger of someone who knows his rise has just begun. If he keeps this pace, All-American status is inevitable, and the NFL will come calling soon enough.
But for now, Hardy is focused on finishing what he started: carrying Missouri toward one of its best seasons in years.
He isn’t just leading the nation.
He’s redefining Missouri football.
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