Mizzou running back named to preseason watch list for prestigious award

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy hasn't played a snap for his new team yet, but he's already being watched for one of the most prestigious awards in college football. On Monday, the former Louisiana Monroe star was named to the Maxwell Award's preseason watch list.

The honor is given out, each year, to the top player in college football. In 2024, former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty took home the award.

Jeanty is set for his first season in the black and gold, in 2025, after transferring in from Louisiana Monroe. The sophomore was a 2024 Freshman All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America, the 2024 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection.

In 12 games, nine of which were starts, he compiled 237 rushes for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns.