Incoming Mizzou football transfers Josiah Trotter, Ahmad Hardy earn all-freshman honors
As Missouri’s 2024 football season comes to a close, a busy postseason has been shaped by transfer portal additions and accolades from the past year
Two incoming transfers to the Tigers received All-America honors for their performances this season. Running back Ahmad Hardy and linebacker Josiah Trotter were named to The Athletic’s 2024 Freshman All-America team Thursday. The pair was also named to the Football Writers Association of America’s 2024 Freshman All-America team Tuesday.
Hardy made a sensational impact in his debut season as a true freshman at UL Monroe, amassing 1,351 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 237 carries. He ranked 12th nationally among all running backs in rushing yards and held the top spot among freshman RBs.
The Monticello, Mississippi, product chose to transfer to Missouri in December over interest from Ole Miss and Kentucky. As a transfer, the 5-foot-10, 205-pounder was ranked the No. 4 running back and No. 55 player in the portal, per 247Sports.
Trotter had an impressive first season, earning the title of Big 12’s 2024 Defensive Freshman of the Year after overcoming a torn ACL that kept him out of his true freshman year at West Virginia. As a redshirt freshman, he recorded 93 tackles (four for loss, 37 unassisted), along with an interception and two passes defended.
Trotter, who is the son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and brother of current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., chose the Tigers over Washington in December. He was also one of three finalists for the FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year Award, which was awarded to Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-2, 238-pounder was ranked as the fifth-best linebacker in the transfer portal, per 247Sports.
Theo Wease to participate in East-West Shrine Bowl
Wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. will head to the East-West Shrine Bowl ahead of entering the NFL Draft, the organization announced Wednesday. The team captain recorded 60 receptions for 884 yards and four touchdowns in his final season with the Tigers.
Defensive end Johnny Walker Jr., who also accepted an invite to the all-star game, will join Wease as the Shrine Bowl celebrates its 100th anniversary at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network.
Past Tigers who have made appearances in the Shrine Bowl are former safety J.C. Carlies and kicker Harrison Mevis. Wease marks the fourth Missouri player to accept an invitation to a postseason all-star game, joining Walker (Shrine Bowl), quarterback Brady Cook (Hula Bowl) and offensive lineman Armand Membou (Senior Bowl).
Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 8:44 PM with the headline "Incoming Mizzou football transfers Josiah Trotter, Ahmad Hardy earn all-freshman honors."