Missouri Tigers star running back Ahmad Hardy is recovering after being shot at a concert in Mississippi early Sunday morning, the school confirmed, sending shockwaves through the college football world.
The standout rusher, who earned first-team All-SEC honors last season, underwent surgery and is now in stable condition, according to a statement released Monday.
“Ahmad is deeply loved by his teammates, coaches, friends, family and fans,” the school said. “We will continue to stand beside him and his family through this difficult time, offering our love, prayers, strength and support.”
Hardy is alert and already moving around as of Monday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, raising hopes he could eventually make a return to the field. Still, school officials cautioned that it’s too early to know when, or how fully, he’ll be back.
The university added that “a timeline for his return to football activities is unknown at this time.”
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The Mississippi native has been one of the most explosive players in college football. Hardy, who hails from Oma, racked up 1,649 rushing yards last season, the second-highest total among all Football Bowl Subdivision players.
He also punched in 16 touchdowns while averaging an eye-popping 6.4 yards per carry across 256 attempts, cementing his status as one of the SEC’s most dangerous offensive weapons. His breakout campaign earned him SEC Newcomer of the Year honors.
Hardy arrived at Missouri after transferring from UL Monroe following the 2024 season. There, he put up similarly dominant numbers, rushing for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on 237 carries before making the jump to the SEC.
Details surrounding the shooting, including what led up to the incident and whether any suspects have been identified, were not immediately released.
The incident comes as fans and teammates alike rally behind one of the sport’s brightest young stars, with early signs pointing toward a potentially encouraging recovery.
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