As college football fans begin looking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller and draft expert Jordan Reid recently highlighted several prospects to monitor at each position. For Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans searching for future offensive playmakers, Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is a name worth knowing.
Reid described Hardy as one of the toughest prospects to evaluate entering the season, not because of his talent but because of the uncertainty surrounding his availability. Hardy was shot in the upper leg during an incident at a concert in May and underwent surgery. While he is currently recovering, his status for the upcoming season remains unclear.
If Hardy returns to full health, however, Reid believes he could position himself as the top running back in the 2027 draft class.
The production certainly supports the optimism. After transferring from Louisiana-Monroe to Missouri, Hardy delivered a dominant 2025 campaign. According to PFF, he rushed for 1,648 yards and 16 touchdowns on 257 carries while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. He earned a 92.5 rushing grade and forced 97 missed tackles, both indicators of a back capable of creating yards on his own.
Perhaps even more impressive was what Hardy did after contact. PFF credited him with 1,181 yards after contact, an average of 4.6 yards after contact per carry. He also recorded 79 first downs and generated 787 breakaway yards, showcasing both power and explosive-play ability.
Those numbers came one year after a standout season at Louisiana-Monroe, where Hardy rushed for 1,346 yards and 13 touchdowns while forcing 93 missed tackles.
The Buccaneers appear set at running back for the foreseeable future with Bucky Irving leading the backfield, but draft cycles move quickly. With another productive season, Hardy could cement himself as one of the premier offensive prospects in the country and a player NFL fans, including those in Tampa Bay, will want to keep an eye on throughout the 2026 college football season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Who is a RB prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft that Bucs fans should watch
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
