SEC notebook: Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy cleared after shooting; recovery timeline TBD

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has been cleared for football activities just over two months after suffering a gunshot wound to his upper leg, head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced on Monday.

Hardy was shot while attending an outdoor concert on May 10 in Laurel, Mississippi.

“We anticipate a recovery, though the specifics of his return to play remain uncertain following a bullet wound to the upper leg,” Drinkwitz said Monday at SEC Media Days. “There is limited literature on such injuries, so the exact progression cannot be defined.”

“We expect the return‑to‑play protocol to span five to eight weeks, but we cannot yet predict the full extent of his recovery — whether he will return to his pre‑injury form remains to be seen,” Drinkwitz added. “Based on his dedication to rehabilitation, I anticipate he will emerge as a stronger version of himself than before.”

Drinkwitz noted that Hardy likely gained an important lesson from the experience.

“I believe many young athletes, aged 18 to 22, feel invincible and enjoy heightened financial and social influence,” Drinkwitz said. “For Ahmad, that moment of realization about his mortality reminded him that poor decisions can have serious consequences.”

“It was an unfortunate accident, not an intentional act,” Drinkwitz said. “Going to a concert, one does not expect to become a victim of random gun violence. I am proud of how he has handled his recovery, and this provides a valuable lesson for our student‑athletes and a reminder that gun violence has no place in our society; we must improve our efforts to address it.”

Missouri will begin the 2026 season on September 3 against Arkansas‑Pine Bluff in Columbia, Missouri — roughly six and a half weeks into Hardy’s recovery timeline.

Hardy, a 20‑year‑old native of Mississippi, began his college career at Louisiana‑Monroe, where he earned Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2024 after leading the conference in rushing yards (1,351) and rushing touchdowns (13) on 237 carries.

After transferring to Missouri, he ranked second among FBS players with 1,649 rushing yards last season, breaking the Tigers’ single‑season record. He was named SEC Newcomer of the Year, a Doak Walker Award finalist, and a consensus All‑American, totaling 16 touchdowns and averaging 6.4 yards per carry on 256 attempts.

Source link