The life and career of 1 of college football’s most promising and electric running backs was put in jeopardy following a concert shooting in Mississippi.
According to a statement from the University of Missouri, All-American running back Ahmad Hardy was shot early Sunday morning and underwent surgery for his wounds.
“Mizzou Football student-athlete Ahmad Hardy was the victim of a shooting at a concert in Mississippi early Sunday morning and sustained a gunshot wound,” the school said in a statement released online. “Ahmad underwent surgery Sunday in Mississippi and is in stable condition. Ahmad is deeply loved by his teammates, coaches, friends, family and fans. We will continue to stand beside him and his family through this difficult time, offering our love, prayers, strength and support. A timeline for his return to football activities is unknown at this time. Mizzou Athletics will provide more information on his status when it becomes available.”
Hardy 1 of College Football’s Biggest Stars
Hardy is a Brookhaven, Mississippi, native who led the SEC with 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025, earning All-American, SEC Newcomer of the Year, and All-SEC honors.
As a true freshman in 2024, the 5-foot-10, 206-pound Hardy was the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and All-Sun Belt at Louisiana-Monroe after he rushed 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hardy is averaging 5.7 yards per carry through his 1st 2 seasons.
“Hardy led the SEC in rushing in 2025 and loomed as one of the faces of the SEC in 2026,” Thamel wrote. “Per the school, a timetable for his return to football activities is unknown … Per an ESPN source, there’s optimism that Ahmad Hardy will play football again. How quickly he can return and the impact isn’t known. He’s alert today and moving around.”
Before the shooting, Hardy was already being projected as a 1st round pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz had Hardy going to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 17 overall in his 1st 2027 mock draft.
“If the Kyler Murray trial run proves fruitful, it seems likely that both sides would want to re-up with one another next offseason,” Middlehurst-Schwarts wrote on April 25. “Minnesota could continue to transform its backfield, however, by bringing on a replacement for Aaron Jones, who will turn 32 in December and took a significant pay cut to stick around for 2026. At 5-10 and 210 pounds, Hardy is more Ashton Jeanty than Jeremiyah Love, though it remains to be seen whether he can transcend the running back value conversation the way either ball carrier did.”
As the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller received a fully guaranteed 4-year, $21.8 million rookie contract.
College Football World Reacts to Hardy Shooting
There was an outpouring of support for Hardy online following the news.
“Hoping Ahmad Hardy has a full and speedy recovery,” Unnecessary Roughness wrote on its official X account.
“Holy (expletive) what the (expletive) is wrong with people?” SEC Barstool wrote on X. “Praying for Ahmad.”
“Thoughts with Ahmad Hardy on a speedy recovery,” ESPN’s Peter Burns wrote on his official X account. “Scary situation for the SEC’s leading rusher in 2025.”
Superstar Mizzou RB Ahmad Hardy Undergoes Surgery After Shooting