Although Hardy spent most of last year holding down the RB2 role for the Storm, openings due to graduation mean that he should slide right into that starting job for a big senior season. He finished 2025 with 171 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 93 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, 18 total tackles, and an interception. On his tape, Hardy proves to be an incredibly explosive runner. He does a great job of accelerating through the hole, and once he hits daylight, it seems to be a near-automatic chunk play. This goes hand in hand with the sick testing results he displayed at the PRZ combine in 2025, and he only appears to be getting faster. On defense, he provides a ton of value as a safety. He flashes quick hips and good instincts, leading to several unrecorded PBUs. This jack-of-all-trades was everywhere last season, and with only more usage, I wouldn’t be shocked if he became a massive breakout performer during his senior season.

A big-time sleeper that PRZMN absolutely missed and overlooked in the latest update, Sauk Rapids-Rice’s Evan Hardy Evan Hardy 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB/DB Sauk Rapids-Rice | 2027 State MN has made us pay this outdoor track and field season. Hardy has PRed with a 10.93 100M, 22.31 200M, and even a 35’7.25″ shot put at 170ish pounds for good measure, and he also went 10.99 and 11.28 in the 100M this spring. My St. Olaf Oles smartly offered last month, and Hardy has also visited St. Thomas and St. John’s going into the all-important 2026 Summer Camp SZN.

Hardy is absolutely on “breakout watch” going into 2026 and his senior season, especially after posting 25 carries for 171 yards and 1 TD, 5 receptions for 60 yards and 1 TD, 19 tackles and 1 INT defensively last fall. Hardy demonstrates good acceleration, a smooth, fluid gait and running style and seems to easily flow by defenders, and he also flashes an extra gear once he gets into space. The 170 lber. can make that free defender miss in the open field, shows off good ball skills and can win 50/50 balls and contested catch situations, and is/ a three-phase impact player for SRR in 2025. He can break on the ball quickly from his DB spot, displays good production as a pass defender, and is slippery with the ball in-hand. Someone forced themselves off the WL thanks to his 2026 outdoor track and field performance!