Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy is in hospital after being shot at a concert in Mississippi in the early hours of Sunday morning, his team have announced.
The 20-year-old, considered by some as a potential first round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery but the precise nature of his injuries have not yet been revealed.
‘Ahmad Hardy was the victim of a shooting at a concert in Mississippi early Sunday morning and sustained a gunshot wound,’ Missouri said. ‘Ahmad underwent surgery Sunday and is in stable condition.
‘Ahmad is deeply loved by his teammates, coaches, family and friends. We will continue to stand beside him and his family through this difficult time, offering our love, prayers, strength and support.’
The team said it is too early to know a timeline for him to return to any football related activity. The Tigers start the 2026 season on September 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Hardy, who is from Oma, Mississippi, is alert and moving, according to ESPN and there is optimism he can play football again eventually. But the impact of his injuries are not yet clear.
Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy was shot at a concert in Mississippi on Sunday
Hardy’s injuries are unknown but there is optimism that he will eventually play football again
Hardy established himself as one of the best rushers in the SEC in 2025, finishing the season with 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns.
One of his standout games was back in his home state. He clocked an astonishing 300 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 25 carries last November when his team beat Mississippi State 49-27.
He said at the time that he wanted to prove a point to his local teams that overlooked him at high school level.
‘I’m from Mississippi,’ Hardy said after the game. ‘A lot of teams didn’t recruit me coming out of high school, so it was kind of personal. But then, again, like I told the guys, the seniors, I was doing it for them.’
He played his freshman year at Louisiana-Monroe, where he ran for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Such was the excitement around Hardy, who stands at 5′ 10″ and 206 lbs, for the upcoming season, some had even considered him to be a contender for the Heismann Trophy in 2026.
The Tigers finished last season 8-5 and lost the Gator Bowl to Virginia.
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