Preseason All-American lists are starting to land, and Missouri got a big early nod on Monday when On3 released its team. Ahmad Hardy was the headline name for the Tigers, earning first-team recognition and drawing high praise in the process.
Chris Low didn’t hold back on Hardy, calling him the best running back in college football. Low also noted that Hardy’s availability for the start of the season is still up in the air after he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg in May.
He has been medically cleared to play, but he did not practice during the first week of camp “as we continue just to get him acclimated back to what it would take to play football,” said Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz. Low also pointed to Hardy’s production last season, when the 5-10, 210-pound back led the nation with 1,181 yards after contact.
Hardy’s recognition comes at a time when Missouri’s run game has real momentum behind it. For the first time ever, Mizzou statistically led the SEC in rushing yards per game in 2025.
The Tigers are bringing back 90% of their rushing yards from last season and have added more production to the room, giving Drinkwitz even more to work with. The depth at running back mirrors what Missouri has built at quarterback, and the Tigers have a legitimate shot to finish at the top of the conference on the ground again.
There’s also reason to keep an eye on the rest of the offense after news from the NFL side involving Luther Burden III. Josh Matejka noted that Burden was injured in Bears training camp, though Chicago has not issued an official injury designation. NFL Network reported that Burden should miss “a little time,” which, as the source put it, can be good or bad depending on how you want to weight the different words in that clause.
Elsewhere around Mizzou athletics, there’s plenty of preseason movement. Aaron Segal’s look at Mizzou volleyball’s black and gold scrimmage pointed to several position battles still being up for grabs with the season opener against Western Illinois approaching. That uncertainty may make some fans uneasy, but it also gives Dawn Sullivan and her staff a lot to sort through before the matches count.
On the tennis side, Robin Goodman’s vision is already taking shape. His stated goal is simple: build a program that can compete nationally, earn respect in the SEC and become known for its effort. The early roster moves fit that plan, including the addition of Colombian signee Mariana Higuita Barraza, who arrived with professional experience and a WTA doubles ranking, along with England’s Millie Skelton from SMU.
Mizzou cross country is also drawing attention for its experience. Levermore said, “I feel like this is probably the first time since I’ve been the coach here that we’ve come into a season returning a whole team of of people that actually know what it takes to be at the national level,” and added, “And to be in the top five in the SEC and and we return almost everyone.” That’s a strong setup for a roster that looks loaded heading into the season.
There’s even something unusual on the calendar for the Tigers in football. Felder said, “I’m excited to play at Wrigley,” and added, “It’s ]definitely a dream.
It was something I never thought I would do, but now that I’m doing it, and I just can’t wait to play outside and against Nebraska.” A game at Wrigley Field is the kind of backdrop players remember, and this one should be no exception.
In Other News...
Which Mizzou Defensive Transfer Can Change This SEC Unit Fastest
Mizzous defense has been a steady strength under coordinator Corey Batoon, finishing among the nations best in total defense in back-to-back seasons. Now the Tigers are trying to reload with help from the transfer portal, and the additions have plenty of pedigree: JaDon Blair, Elijah Dotson, Jahlil Florence and Robert Woodyard Jr. all arrived from major programs as former four-star recruits, giving this unit a deeper look and a higher ceiling heading into the season.
The question now is which newcomer can make that jump fastest and give Missouri the biggest immediate lift in the SEC. A fan survey is already underway to sort through the possibilities, which says plenty about how many different directions this could go for a defense that has been so reliable. With several transfer pieces in the mix, the Tigers do not need all of them to hit at once, but they do need at least one to separate quickly and become a difference-maker. [Read more 🡒]
Missouris Backfield Picture Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Missouris preseason media day brought a little more clarity to a backfield that already had plenty of moving parts. Running backs coach Curtis Luper spent his Q&A session talking through the groups depth and the different ways the Tigers can piece it together, with Ahmad Hardys recovery, Jamal Roberts place in the room and newcomer Xai'Shaun Edwards all factoring into the conversation as camp approaches.
The most pressing question is how quickly Hardy can get back into the mix after his offseason setback, while Roberts decision to stay gives Missouri another experienced option to lean on. Edwards is the name that adds a fresh wrinkle, though, and Lupers comments suggested the Tigers like what they have seen from his prior production and work ethic as they sort out what this rotation is going to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Blake Craigs Return Puts Mizzous Biggest Special Teams Question Front And Center
Blake Craigs return gives Missouri something it sorely lacked over the second half of 2025: a proven kicker with a track record the Tigers can trust. Craig was lost early in the season to a knee injury and spent the rest of the year watching a kicking game that never really found its footing, with the Tigers struggling to cash in from distance when drives stalled near scoring range.
The timing matters even more now because the backdrop at Memorial Stadium is changing, too. With construction work reshaping the North end zone area, Missouris special teams staff has to sort through a new set of kicking conditions while also figuring out how to reintegrate Craig after a year away. For a team that already learned how much hidden yardage and reliable kicking can swing a season, its an issue that will linger well into 2026. [Read more 🡒]