SMU's TJ Harden showcased NFL-ready power and speed at the Shrine Bowl, proving his size, burst, and versatile skillset translate to the next level.
FRISCO - SMU running back TJ Harden didn’t need a box-score explosion to make an impression at the 101st East-West Shrine Bowl.
In a game built more on evaluation than fireworks, Harden showed exactly what NFL scouts came to see: size, burst, and versatility that translate beyond college football.
Playing for the West squad in a tight 21-17 win, Harden flashed early in the second half with a decisive seven-yard run, followed later by a clean five-yard reception underneath.
Those plays won’t dominate highlight reels, but they mattered in a game where consistency, timing, and trust in assignments often speak louder than raw production.
At 6-2, 220 pounds, Harden looks the part of a modern NFL back.
During Shrine Bowl practices, he quietly posted one of the better athletic showings of the week, recording a top speed of 17.67 mph, the seventh-fastest among all participants.
That combination of size and movement stood out in drills and carried over into game action.
More importantly, Harden showed comfort in multiple roles. He ran with patience between the tackles, didn’t waste steps when pressing the hole, and looked natural catching the ball out of the backfield.
In today’s NFL, where running backs are asked to block, catch, and run with equal effectiveness, that versatility is critical.
For SMU, Harden’s week in Frisco reinforces the growing national respect for the Mustangs’ player development. SMU backs have steadily gained traction with evaluators, and Harden’s performance adds to that narrative.
Harden wasn’t trying to win MVP honors; he was just trying to show he belongs. And in that respect, the Shrine Bowl served its purpose.
With the NFL Combine and Pro Day circuit on the horizon, Harden has positioned himself as a name to monitor. If he continues to test well and builds on his Shrine Bowl momentum, he could emerge as a late-round value or priority free agent with a real chance to stick on a roster.
For SMU fans, it’s another reminder that the Mustangs aren’t just winning games ... they’re sending NFL-ready talent into the league. And for TJ Harden, Frisco may have been just the beginning of a much bigger climb.