Tennessee Senior Day 2009: Montario Hardesty

by Will Shelton on Nov 20, 2009 9:00 AM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football

We've mentioned this before, but it's worth mentioning again: although Arian Foster, LaMarcus Coker, Lennon Creer, and Bryce Brown were all talked about more than he was, Montario Hardesty has outperformed them all.

Hardesty has 956 rushing yards thru the first ten games of the season, and will almost certainly become the first Vol to run for 1,000 yards in a season since Gerald Riggs and Cedric Houston both did it in 2004. If he can pick up 334 yards in the final three games, he'll have one of the five best individual seasons in UT history. And he is currently 13th on UT's all-time rushing chart, where those same 334 yards would get him into the Top 10 all-time. He has already joined an elite club of Vols to run for over 2,000 yards in their collegiate careers.

What makes Hardesty great?

The final nail in Cal's coffin, way back in 2006:

The big run against Georgia:

Setting the tone this season:

The Spin Move:

Hardesty's name takes its place in the great tradition of Tennessee running backs, a tradition that felt broken in these last few years, but one #2 has worked hard to restore this season.

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Love this kid

Battled through injuries to have one of the more memorable careers at UT to me. He has played his tail off this year.

I also got to meet him after we got waxed by Auburn, and he took the time to speak with me for a minute. Great guy and glad he has been a part of UT.

by Oskie on Nov 20, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions

To be fair...

Arian Foster rushed for 1193 yards in 2007. Regardless, Hardesty runs harder than any back we’ve seen in a while. I’m going to miss him.

"I can't hear you, Rocky Top is playing."

by Getoffmyvols on Nov 20, 2009 11:24 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Clearly

I can’t read the media guide correctly

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Nov 20, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

What if..

We had a healthy Montario Hardesty for another year or two under Kiffin’s system? He could have been one of the best ever. Nobody seems to run harder than Montario and he’s been one of my favorite players to watch this year..he will be missed!

by Solid Orange on Nov 20, 2009 1:47 PM EST reply actions