Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz leaves door open for Ahmad Hardy 2026 return after shooting

Missouri football has been an up-and-coming team for a number of years now in the SEC, and the Tigers were gearing up for potentially their best season yet in 2026. Eli Drinkwitz brought in Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons at quarterback along with a number of other transfers who can make a big impact.

Everything was centered around running back Ahmad Hardy. Hardy was one of the best ballcarriers in the country last season and has been mocked by many as a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. However, Hardy was shot in the leg during a shooting at a concert recently, forcing him to have surgery and putting his playing career in jeopardy.

On Tuesday night, after Hardy was released from the hospital, Drinkwitz left the door open to his star running back returning for the 2026 season, though he had no definitive answers, per Pete Nakos of On3 Sports.

“There is an opportunity that he’ll be back this year,” Drinkwitz said. “There’s an opportunity he couldn’t be back this year. We won’t know those answers for a few weeks.”

Hardy was excellent as a freshman at Louisiana-Monroe in 2024, leading the Sun Belt in every major rushing statistic with 237 carries for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Hardy transferred to Missouri in 2025, facing a step up in competition in the SEC. However, his numbers got even better, as he racked up, 1,649 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns on 256 carries. His combination of speed and power, as well as his vision and contact balance, make him a very intriguing NFL prospect heading into next season.

Thankfully, Hardy was stable after the shooting. However, the extent of his injuries is unknown still, and the recovery time from his surgery in the aftermath is also unknown. It remains to be seen whether he will be ready to play by Week 1 or at any point during the 2026 season, but it is a relief that he is okay and recovering.

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