Kentucky is pursuing ULM RB transfer Ahmad Hardy

adamluckettksr

Sep 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks running back Ahmad Hardy (22) runs the ball in the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Kentucky failed to sign a running back in the 2025 high school recruiting cycle and saw Chip Trayanum enter the transfer portal on Wednesday. That has created a position room with only three scholarship players as free agency begins. The Wildcats are expected to be active shoppers in the running back market.

ULM running back Ahamad Hardy figures to be one of the best players at the position to be in the transfer portal this cycle. Kentucky is making a push for the Sun Belt transfer.

On3’s Steve Wiltfong reports that Ole Miss has locked in a visit (Dec. 11) but other schools are pursuing the tailback with three years of eligibility remaining. Kentucky is making a big push.

The Monticello (Miss.) Lawerence County product 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. Ahmad Hardy 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.

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

Kentucky is looking for a potential starter at tailback and wants to get back to their ground-and-pound style that has worked well in the past. Finding a 1,000-yard rusher is a top goal for the program. Ahmad Hardy appears to be a top target.

Now the Wildcats need to get a visit locked in for a tailback who forced 96 missed tackles last season, according to PFF data.

There he goes 👋 @Ahmadhardy29 breaks free for his longest rush of the season and the Warhawks have the lead! pic.twitter.com/sSuVotoBwt
— ULM Football (@ULM_FB) November 2, 2024

Kentucky Football Transfer Portal Tracker

The transfer portal does not officially open until Monday, Dec. 9, but so far we know of 15 players who will be seeking out greener pastures this offseason.

DL Keeshawn Silver
DB Avery Stuart
LB Jayvant Brown
LS Walker Himebauch
TE Tanner Lemaster
TE Khamari Anderson
TE Jordan Dingle
OL Courtland Ford
OL Ben Christman
DL Tommy Ziesmer
WR Dane Key
WR Barion Brown
WR Anthony Brown-Stephens
EDGE Tyreese Fearbry
EDGE Noah Matthews
EDGE Caleb Redd
RB Chip Trayanum

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. Keep closer tabs on the Cats with our staff-only sticky thread on KSBoard, which will have updates on departures and targets throughout the offseason. Not a KSR+ member? Try it out today.