Hardy Adds AFCA All-America Honors to Resume
12/16/2025 9:51:00 AM | Football
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou football running back Ahmad Hardy was named to the AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America First Team on Tuesday, the American Football Coaches Association announced. Hardy was previously named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, making him an NCAA consensus All-American.
Hardy becomes the first running back in program history to receive First Team AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America honors and the 11th Tiger overall to earn a first-team nod from the organization.
AFCA FBS COACHES' ALL-AMERICA TEAM
FIRST TEAM
- Ahmad Hardy (RB)
Hardy, one of three national finalists for the prestigious Doak Walker Award given to the nation's top running back, led the country in rushing on a per-game basis (130.0 YPG) while leading all Doak Walker finalists and ranking second nationally in rushing yards (1,560). Hardy's success was fueled by eight 100-yard games and the sixth 300-yard rushing performance in SEC history against Mississippi State on November 15. His 16 rushing touchdowns rank fourth nationally while he has rushed for 281 more yards than any other back in the conference.
Hardy adds the honor to a list that includes being tabbed SEC Newcomer of the Year and unanimous first team All-SEC by the Associated Press, first team All-SEC by league coaches, On3 All-America honors and First Team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the AP.
Mizzou is set to play in its 38th bowl game when it meets Virginia in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Saturday, December 27, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kickoff between the No. 25 Tigers and No. 20 Cavaliers is set for 6:30 p.m. CT with ABC and Tiger Radio Network providing coverage. The meeting on the gridiron between Mizzou (8-4) and Virginia (10-3) will mark the second meeting between the two schools and the first since 1973 when Mizzou defeated UVA, 31-7, in Columbia.
Mizzou Football season ticket holders and Mizzou Athletics Fund donors will receive an email with a link to purchase tickets in the Mizzou section for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. General tickets for the Gator Bowl are available at TaxSlayerGatorBowl.com.
ALL-TIME MIZZOU AFCA ALL-AMERICANS
FIRST TEAM
- Ahmad Hardy (RB – 2025)
- Shane Ray (DE – 2014)
- Michael Sam (DE – 2013)
- Chase Coffman (TE – 2008)
- Martin Rucker (TE – 2007)
- Rob Riti (C – 1999)
- Kellen Winslow (TE – 1978)
- Henry Marshall (WR – 1975)
- Roger Wherli (DB – 1968)
- Johnny Roland (DB – 1965)
- Danny LaRose (E – 1960)
SECOND TEAM
- Cody Schrader (RB – 2023)
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