TJ Harden News, Rumors, Updates - SMU Mustangs

Caps off regular season with TD Harden logged 10 carries for 44 yards and one touchdown and reeled in 3 of 4 targets for 19 yards during Saturday's 38-35 loss versus California.

Impact Harden and Chris Johnson each handled 10 carries during the contest, and although Johnson went for 128 rushing yards, each tailback found the endzone. Harden will end the regular season with 161 rushing yards for 747 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 19 receptions for 99 yards and a score.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Another productive game Harden recorded 18 rushes for 90 yards and reeled in all two targets for seven yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-6 victory versus Louisville.

Impact Harden appeared to be losing his starting role during the middle portion of the season. Between Weeks 7 and 10, Harden rushed 44 times for 107 yards across four games while Chris Johnson and Derrick McFall earned more opportunities.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Jennings accounts for 4 TDs in SMU's victory over Louisville to keep ACC title hopes alive

SMU is still in contention to reach another ACC title game after Kevin Jennings accounted for four touchdowns in a 38-6 win over Louisville

NOVEMBER 22 • Associated Press

Erupts for 130 yards Harden recorded 16 carries for 130 yards and gathered in their only target for negative three yards during Saturday's 45-13 win against Boston College.

Impact Harden had totaled 107 rushing yards in his last four games. He exceeded that mark Saturday by logging a season-high 130 rushing yards. However, Harden failed to log a rushing touchdown, as backup Derrick McFall scored three times on five carries. Harden has scored one touchdown since Week 3.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Silent in OT win Harden posted eight carries for 27 yards and one touchdown and caught 2 of 3 targets for 15 yards during Saturday's 26-20 overtime victory over Miami (FL).

Impact SMU had plenty of success passing the ball and was quick to abandon the run. Harden led the team in rushing attempts, with Derrick McFall and Chris Johnson receiving four carries each. Despite the decreased workload, Harden scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 3 and logged his most rushing yards since Week 7. On the year, Harden has rushed 117 times for 483 yards (4.1 ypc) and six touchdowns.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

SMU Upsets No. 10 Miami in Overtime for 1st Top 10 Home Win in 50-Plus Years

SMU upset No. 10 Miami in overtime on Saturday, 26-20, for its first top 10 ranked home win in over 50 years.

NOVEMBER 1 • FOX SPORTS

SMU Upsets No. 10 Miami in Overtime for 1st Top 10 Home Win in 50-Plus Years

Another poor showing Harden posted 13 carries for 25 yards and hauled in 4 of 5 targets for 27 yards during Saturday's 13-12 loss against Wake Forest.

Impact Harden was held under 40 yards for a third straight game, and he failed to eclipse two yards per carry Saturday. The senior running back's struggles have opened up an opportunity for Chris Johnson to see more carries, and although Harden had five more rushing attempts, Johnson finished with four more rushing yards. Harden was able to somewhat salvage his fantasy performance by catching four passes. He's averaging three yards per carry across his last five games.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Lead as RB1 seemingly closing Harden posted 11 rushes for 16 yards and reeled in all two targets for 10 yards during Saturday's 35-24 win against Clemson.

Impact Harden has operated in a clear No. 1 role for most of the 2025 season, but over the last two weeks, he's started to bleed playing time to Chris Johnson. Harden has totaled 23 carries for 55 yards during those two games, while Johnson has turned 11 carries into 155 yards and two touchdowns, while also being a threat in the passing game. Given Harden's prolonged success, he should continue to be the lead back, but Johnson looks to be closing the gap. Derrick McFall also handled four carries Saturday.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Lead as RB1 seemingly closing Harden posted 11 rushes for 16 yards and reeled in all two targets for 10 yards during Saturday's 35-24 win against Clemson.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Silenced by Stanford Harden accrued 12 rushes for 39 yards during Saturday's 34-10 victory against Stanford.

Impact Harden set a season low in rushing yards and saw his fewest carries since Week 1. The senior tailback has quieted down since racking up 211 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns over two weeks early in the season, posting 162 rushing yards and no scores in three games since.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Decent outing in Week 6 Harden recorded 16 carries for 67 yards during Saturday's 31-18 win against Syracuse.

Impact Harden saw at least 15 carries for the fourth straight game, but his 67 yards from scrimmage were his worst since Week 1.After scoring five rushing touchdowns across his first three appearances, Harden hasn't found the end zone in back-to-back contests. He's got 376 rushing yards on the year.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play vs. Syracuse Harden (undisclosed) is no longer on the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Syracuse.

Impact Harden was probable to suit up Saturday, but the latest report indicates that he'll be available. Harden should handle his regular workload in the backfield. Given that he's logged at least 15 carries in three straight games, Harden figures to play an important role now that he's good to go Saturday.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Probable versus Syracuse Harden (undisclosed) is probable for Saturday's game versus Syracuse, per the ACC availability report.

Impact Harden popped up on Thursday's injury report, but he's still considered probable so it's not much of a concern. He's logged at least 15 carries in three straight games so he figures to play an important role assuming he's good to go.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Probable versus Syracuse Harden (undisclosed) is probable for Saturday's game versus Syracuse, per the ACC availability report.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Quieted by TCU Harden logged 15 carries for 56 yards and gathered in all three targets for 31 yards during Saturday's 35-24 loss against TCU.

Impact Harden came into Saturday's contest having racked up 211 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his previous two games. He failed to make a similar impact against TCU, averaging fewer than four yards per carry. However, he set season highs in receptions and receiving yards.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Scores twice Harden totaled 15 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 28-10 victory versus Missouri State.

Impact Harden retained lead RB duties in Week 3, with no other SMU tailback exceeding seven carries. He delivered multiple touchdowns for a second straight contest and is averaging six yards per carry this season. He's rushed 42 times for 253 yards.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Scores twice Harden totaled 15 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 28-10 victory versus Missouri State.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

TJ Harden creates distance in crowded SMU RB room with breakout performance The Mustangs learned TJ Harden, a UCLA transfer, may be ready to become their go-to running back this season.

SEPTEMBER 10 • DALLASNEWS.COM

Lead back in shootout Harden posted 19 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns and reeled in 2 of 3 targets for negative seven yards during Saturday's 48-45 overtime loss to Baylor.

Impact Harden split carries in the season opener, but assumed a much larger role against Baylor. The tailback outcarried Chris Johnson 19-6 and delivered his first career game with three rushing touchdowns. The UCLA transfer logged 506 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season while accumulating 40 receptions for 368 yards as a receiver. While his pass-catching prowess hasn't shown up with the Mustangs, Harden could be in for a big season if he continues to receive a majority of the team's rushing attempts.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Lead back in shootout Harden posted 19 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns and reeled in 2 of 3 targets for negative seven yards during Saturday's 48-45 overtime loss to Baylor.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Splits carries Harden recorded eight rushes for 42 yards during Saturday's 42-13 victory against East Texas A&M.

Impact Harden, Derrick McFall and Chris Johnson handled between six and nine carries during the season opener. Harden finished second in carries and rushing yards. Considering he's stuck in a three-person committee, Harden should be avoided in most fantasy formats.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

In mix for committee Coach Kyle Cooper indicated Tuesday that Harden will be in the rotation of a running back committee for the 2025 season, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Harden transferred in from UCLA with high expectation of being the lead back out of the backfield but has not quite separated himself from the rest of the pack. The senior running back is poised to split the workload with Derrick McFall, Dramekco Green and Chris Johnson. He will be one of the most experienced runners in the room, totaling over 800 scrimmage yards across 12 games in 2024.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with SMU Harden will transfer to Southern Methodist University, he announced on his personal X account.

Impact Harden spent three years with UCLA. His sophomore season was his best, when he ran for 827 yards and eight scores on 5.3 yards-per-carry. in 2024, his numbers dipped slightly, as he ran for 506 yards and two touchdowns on 4.1 yards-per-carry. However, he did become much more of a receiving threat, reeling in 40 catches for 368 yards and a score last fall. Now, he'll look to lead the way for the Mustangs on the ground.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Will enter portal Harden plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal for the upcoming season, On3.com reports.

Impact Harden will be looking for a fresh start after playing the previous three seasons with the Bruins. The junior running back totaled 124 carries for 505 yards and two scores while also reeling in 40 receptions for 368 yards and one touchdown across 12 games this year.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs four carries Week 14 Harden (undisclosed) logged four carries for 23 yards and one touchdown and reeled in two of three targets for negative five yards during Saturday's 20-13 victory over Fresno State...

Impact Harden suited for the Bruins' season finale after being listed as questionable to play earlier in the week. The 220-pound junior may not have been fully healthy, as he logged well below his usual number of carries from the previous four weeks when he averaged 14.5 rushing attempts per game. However, he still logged his first rushing touchdown wince Week 3 when he scored a go-ahead five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Harden finishes his 2024 junior season with 124 carries for 505 yards and two touchdowns.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

TJ HARDEN NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

Kevin Jennings accounts for 4 TDs in SMU's victory over Louisville to keep ACC title hopes alive

SMU Upsets No. 10 Miami in Overtime for 1st Top 10 Home Win in 50-Plus Years