David Pollack Names Best Running Back in College Football Without Hesitation

"I've seen enough from Missouri to say, is Ahmad Hardy the best running back in college football?" Pollack said. "I think I've seen enough to know legs and booty are a problem. Tenaciousness is a problem. He can break tackles. He can run around you. He has good enough patience. Ahmad Hardy is the best running back in college football."

From Louisiana-Monroe to SEC Stardom

Hardy transferred to Missouri after spending one season with the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. During his true freshman season, he had 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry. He elected to enter the portal at the end of the year, and he's arguably having a better season up to this point this year.

Hardy has rushed for 600 yards and six touchdowns on 7.6 yards per carry. His 600 yards are the second most in college football behind the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners running back Robert Henry, who has 624 yards. He's also tied for fifth with his six rushing touchdowns.

Hardy has achieved over 100 yards in every game this season and has scored a touchdown in each game as well. His standout performance occurred against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, where he rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.4 yards per carry. In the conference opening victory against the South Carolina Gamecocks this past weekend, Hardy recorded 138 yards and one touchdown, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

Missouri’s Playoff Push Gets a Spark

Hardy may not match the historic numbers Jeanty delivered at Boise State, but his steady dominance has already reshaped Missouri’s ceiling in 2025. If he keeps producing at this level, the Tigers won’t just have the nation’s top running back; they may also find themselves playing for a College Football Playoff spot for the first time in program history.