Ahmad Hardy didn’t just arrive in the SEC this season-he kicked the door down and made himself right at home. After transferring from Louisiana-Monroe, the Mizzou running back wasted no time proving he belonged on college football’s biggest stage. And if his first season in Columbia is any indication, 2026 could be the year Hardy goes from SEC standout to Heisman front-runner.
Let’s talk numbers, because Hardy’s production wasn’t just good-it was elite. He rushed for 1,560 yards and 16 touchdowns this fall, averaging a jaw-dropping 6.5 yards per carry against SEC defenses.
That’s not just a step up from his already impressive freshman campaign at Louisiana-Monroe (1,351 yards, 13 TDs, 5.7 YPC)-it’s a full-blown leap. In a league known for its speed, size, and defensive depth, Hardy didn’t flinch.
He thrived.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach clearly took notice. While the 2025 Heisman Trophy went to Fernando Mendoza, Schlabach didn’t waste any time looking ahead to 2026-and Hardy was one of the first names he mentioned. According to Schlabach’s early Heisman watchlist, Hardy’s trajectory has him firmly in the conversation for college football’s most prestigious individual award.
And it’s not hard to see why. Hardy led the FBS with 130 rushing yards per game and finished second nationally in total rushing yards.
He topped the 100-yard mark eight times this season, but his signature performance came on November 15, when he torched Mississippi State for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-27 win. That kind of dominance doesn’t just happen-it’s the mark of a player who can take over a game and tilt the field in his team’s favor.
What makes Hardy’s rise even more impressive is how seamlessly he adjusted to the SEC. The jump from the Sun Belt to the Southeastern Conference is no small feat.
The game is faster, the defenders are bigger, and the margin for error is razor-thin. But Hardy looked like he belonged from the first snap, running with vision, patience, and burst.
He’s not just a speed guy or a power back-he’s the full package, and he’s only getting better.
Now, with the Gator Bowl on deck-Mizzou faces Virginia on December 27-Hardy has one more chance this season to showcase his talent on a national stage. A strong performance there could serve as a springboard into a 2026 campaign that’s already buzzing with Heisman potential.
Ahmad Hardy didn’t just introduce himself to the SEC-he made sure everyone knew his name. And if the early signs are right, we might just be watching the beginning of a Heisman run in the making.