TJ Harden

Last updated

TJ Harden
SMU MustangsNo. 27
Position Running back
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born: (2004-04-23) April 23, 2004 (age 21) [1]
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career history
College
  • UCLA (2022–2024)
  • SMU (2025–present)
High school Inglewood (Inglewood, California)

Tomarion "TJ" Harden (born April 23, 2004) [1] is an American college football running back for the SMU Mustangs. He previously played for the UCLA Bruins.

Contents

Early life

Harden attended Inglewood High School located in Inglewood, California. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit, where he committed to play college football for the UCLA Bruins over other offers from other schools such as Michigan, Mississippi State, and Utah. [2]

College career

UCLA

During his freshman season in 2022, Harden played in six games, rushing for 325 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries. [3] In week 13 of the 2023 season, he rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while also hauling in a touchdown in an upset win over rival USC. [4] Harden finished the 2023 season, rushing for 827 yards and eight touchdowns. [5] In week 11 of the 2024 season, he rushed for 125 yards in a win against Iowa. [6] Harden finished the 2024 season, rushing 124 times for 506 yards and two touchdowns, while also hauling in 40 receptions for 368 yards and a touchdown, where after the conclusion of the season, he decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [7]

SMU

Harden transferred to play for the SMU Mustangs. [8] In week one of the 2025 season, he rushed for 42 yards on eight carries in a win over East Texas A&M. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 @TomarionHarden (April 23, 2022). "Blessed to see 18, God is good!" (Tweet). Retrieved September 7, 2025 via Twitter.
  2. Williams, James (June 14, 2021). "Inglewood RB Tomarion Harden gives UCLA football a verbal commitment". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  3. Sawyer, Hailey (August 13, 2023). "UCLA added size and strength to the running backs room". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  4. Williams, James (November 22, 2023). "UCLA RB TJ Harden's performance against USC proves he's next". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  5. Sawyer, Hailey (August 17, 2024). "UCLA RB T.J. Harden is ready to go the distance". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  6. Cavanaugh, Tom. "Bruins' Junior RB Seeking Repeat Performance Against USC". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  7. Sawyer, Hailey (December 2, 2024). "UCLA running back T.J. Harden plans to enter transfer portal". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  8. Cavanaugh, Tom. "Bruins Transfer RB Finds New Destination for 2025". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  9. McNeill, Dylan (August 31, 2025). "Los Angeles native and UCLA's leading rusher TJ Harden makes his SMU debut". Bruins Wire. Retrieved September 7, 2025.