Montario Hardesty

RB · Tennessee
Possessing obvious talent but a troubling inability to remain healthy, Hardesty entered his senior campaign with only six starts in 36 career games and having never carried the ball more than 107 times in a season. He needed a healthy, breakout senior campaign to emerge as a legitimate NFL prospect. A breakout campaign is exactly what he produced. Quickly impressing Lane Kiffin and his staff with his work ethic and toughness, Hardesty emerged as the starter over highly touted freshmen Bryce Brown. Averaging 21 carries per game, Hardesty rushed for 1,345 yards, the fourth highest total in Tennessee's history and only 119 yards short of Travis Stephens' record. NFL teams will proceed cautiously with Hardesty. He has already undergone three knee surgeries, so his medical report will be as closely scrutinized as any prospect this year. When healthy, Hardesty has proven to be a legitimate workhorse with rare agility for a back his size. He leaves Tennessee with 560 career carries, the second highest total in school history.