Ahmad Hardy’s Meteoric Rise: Mizzou’s Star Back Earns First-Team All-American Honors
Another accolade, another spotlight moment for Ahmad Hardy - and this one’s a big one.
The Missouri running back has been named a First-Team All-American by ESPN, capping off a breakout season that was nothing short of electric. If you watched Hardy run this fall, you know this isn’t just a nod - it’s a statement. He didn’t just play well; he bulldozed his way into the national conversation.
Let’s break it down: Hardy transferred in from Louisiana-Monroe and wasted no time making his presence felt in the SEC. He finished the year as the second-leading rusher in the FBS, but that stat only scratches the surface of how dominant he was. According to ESPN Research, Hardy led the nation in yards after first contact with a jaw-dropping 1,183 yards - that’s not just breaking tackles, that’s redefining what it means to run through defenders.
He also ranked second in yards per carry (6.44) among backs with 200 or more attempts, and fifth in missed tackles forced (91). Translation: Hardy wasn’t just productive - he was nearly impossible to bring down. His 16 touchdowns and eight 100-yard games, including a 300-yard explosion against Mississippi State (the best single-game rushing performance in the FBS this season), speak to a level of consistency and explosiveness that’s rare, even in today’s high-octane offenses.
No surprise, then, that he also earned First-Team All-SEC honors and heads into 2026 as one of the most feared returning backs in the country. And yes, the buzz is already building - Hardy’s name is starting to pop up in early Heisman Trophy conversations.
He’s currently sitting at 80/1 odds, just outside the top 30, but don’t let that fool you. If he builds on this past season, those odds could shrink in a hurry.
Mizzou’s Outlook: Hardy Leads the Charge Into 2026
Hardy’s return is a major reason why Missouri is starting to show up in some way-too-early Top 25 rankings. FOX Sports’ RJ Young has the Tigers at No. 15, while Max Chadwick of PFF College slots them in at **No.
20**. The Tigers didn’t hit double-digit wins this past season - a first in three years - but with Hardy in the backfield, they’re far from rebuilding.
The quarterback picture is still coming into focus, with either sophomore Matt Zollers or Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons expected to take the reins. Whoever wins that job will have the luxury of handing the ball off to one of the most dynamic backs in the nation - a safety net most young quarterbacks dream of.
Defensively, Missouri took some hits with key departures, but they’ve reloaded in the portal. One key addition is linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr., a transfer from Auburn who brings SEC experience and sideline-to-sideline range to a unit in transition.
On the Hardwood: Mizzou Basketball Hits a Speed Bump
Over on the basketball side, it’s been a rough stretch for Mizzou. The Tigers dropped a tight one at home to Georgia, 74-72 - their first home loss of the season and one that stings for a team trying to stay in the NCAA Tournament picture. After a strong start to SEC play, Missouri has now lost three of its last four, and while the road to March Madness isn’t closed, it’s definitely gotten narrower.
The good news? There’s still time.
The SEC hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut this season, and the Tigers will have chances to climb back into the conversation. But they’ll need to clean things up in close games - these one-possession losses are starting to pile up.
Recruiting Notes: Building for the Future
On the recruiting front, Sione Laulea is generating buzz as a breakout candidate. The Oregon transfer brings both upside and experience, giving the Tigers a versatile piece in the secondary who could make a real impact in 2026.
Defensively, Cavan Tuley adds depth to a front that needed reinforcements. While he may not be expected to play major snaps right away, his versatility and background at a Power Five program make him a valuable rotational piece - the kind of player who can step in when injuries or matchups demand it.
What’s Next
Between Hardy’s dominance on the field, the quarterback competition heating up, and some intriguing additions on defense, Missouri football is shaping up to be one of the more compelling storylines heading into 2026. And while the basketball team fights to stay afloat in the SEC, the foundation is there - both on the field and in the locker room.
One thing’s clear: Ahmad Hardy isn’t just a name to watch. He’s a name to remember. And if he keeps running like this, he might just run all the way to New York next December.