Gabriel Hardman is a rising anchor for South Dakota’s defense
Hardman enters 2026 as a third-team FCS preseason All-American and a team captain after a breakout 2025 season in which he played all 15 games, started 13, and piled up 90 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. The best part? He isn’t just a tackle collector—he’s a tone-setter with range, finishing strength, and big-game durability, plus he’s trending upward fast. If you need an instinctive, physical linebacker who already looks like a defense’s heartbeat, he’s a strong fit.
