ULM RB transfer Ahmad Hardy locks in visit with Kentucky

ULM tailback Ahmad Hardy is currently one of the top players in the transfer portal. On3 ranks the Sun Belt tailback as the No. 20 overall player. The 1,000-yard rusher from Mississippi is getting close to decision time.

Kentucky will get the final visit.

Following his trip to Ole Miss this week, Ahmad Hardy spoke with On3’s Steve Wiltfong to provide an update on his recruitment. The ULM transfer confirmed that his next visit will be to Kentucky on Dec. 19. The tailback will “more than likely” make a decision after that. The Rebels and Wildcats are the top contenders.

Ahmad Hardy rushed for 1,351 yards on 5.7 yards per rush and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors. The former unranked recruit went over 100 yards eight times in 12 games with 200-yard performances against Marshall and Arkansas State. Hardy produced those numbers playing in an offense that had one of the worst passing attacks (No. 130 in passing success rate) in college football.

The running back finished the season ranked No. 11 nationally in rushing yards and produced a 14.8 percent explosive run rate. Only four players had more 30-plus yard rushes than the ULM tailback. Asthon Jeanty was the only tailback to force more missed tackles than Ahmad Hardy, according to PFF data.

Kentucky is in the market for an RB1. The Wildcats are in great position to land this Sun Belt transfer following his visit to Ole Miss. Next Thursday will be a big one at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

Luckett’s scouting notebook

Ahmad Hardy posted some big numbers in the Sun Belt playing in a zone-heavy scheme. To see how those numbers accumulated, we took a look at the tape.

This is my scouting write-up on the true sophomore tailback.

Ahmad Hardy is a one-cut, downhill runner who thrived in ULM’s zone scheme. Did most of his damage as a stretch zone runner. Showed good instincts and impressive contact balance. Consistently bounced off tackles and then could hit another gear in open space. Makes the first defender miss quite often and does a good job getting north/south for yards. Made some plays in limited action as a pass catcher but is a work in progress in pass protection. Ball security (3 fumbles in 237 carries) is a concern.

The All-Sun Belt transfer is best suited for a zone scheme where his one-cut running style can allow the tailback to make decisive reads and get downhill. Hardy runs behind his pads, is hard to tackle, and has some extra juice in the open field. Projects as a potential high-end power conference tailback with no doubt draft potential. Can be a true workhorse.