The Stanford Cardinal are 4-4 and right back in the bowl game conversation, rattling off two straight wins to give themselves a big momentum boost ahead of this week's game against Louisville. It has not always been pretty, but overall, the Cardinal have shown a lot of growth in an era where they have struggled to be nationally relevant.

But there are some players who have stood out more than others for their improvements from last season. The Cardinal have a new-look roster, bringing in several new transfers to help the program succeed, but have gotten strong performances out of some trusted veterans. 

Here are the three players who have improved the most for Stanford in 2026.

Stanford has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Bryce Love ran for 2,118 yards in 2017, but Ford could be well on his way to breaking that streak. Through eight games, the junior from Toms River, New Jersey, has registered 136 carries for 679 yards and eight touchdowns, setting new career highs in every rushing category.

He broke out against Elon, rushing the ball 19 times for 179 yards and a program-record four touchdowns. He followed that up with a 22-carry, 150-yard game against NC State. If he can keep it up, Stanford could be on its way to its first bowl game since 2018.

Mattingly, a junior from Magnolia, Texas, has proven himself to be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball this season. Joining the program in 2024 as a special teams player, he got his first shot to play linebacker last season, but has adjusted to the role even better in 2026.

Through eight games, he has a new career high in tackles with 49 and has a half-sack as well. Mattingly registered 10-plus tackles in two out of the last three weeks, recording 11 in the loss to Notre Dame and 10 this past week in a win over NC State.

Matt Rose has been dealing with an injury, initially creating major questions on who would step up. But Mattingly has quickly silenced any skepticism and has helped the defense improve over the last couple of weeks.

High, a former standout at South Carolina State, transferred to Stanford ahead of last season. He never got fully going, managing only 37 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown for the entire season. This season has been a much different story.

High leads the Cardinal in receiving with 30 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns, and is looking like the player he was at SC State. The Cardinal's offense has endured mixed results this season, but High has been a reliable target for quarterback Davis Warren.

He is coming off of a nine-catch, 130-yard and one-touchdown game against NC State, his second 100-yard game of the season. His first came in the win over Georgia Tech, where he caught four passes for 121 yards and added two touchdowns.

The game against Louisville this week will be another tough test, and if he has another good game, it will go a long way towards keeping this game close and potentially helping the Cardinal's case to become bowl eligible.