There's some encouraging news coming out of Missouri's football program today. Running back Ahmad Hardy is being released from the hospital, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, and the star rusher is already setting his sights on returning to the field this season.

Hardy was shot in the upper leg early Sunday while attending a concert in Mississippi. He was transported to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, where he underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition. Now, just days later, he's cleared to leave the hospital and begin his road to recovery.

The plan, per Thamel, is for Hardy to head straight to Missouri's campus to start his rehab—a clear sign that he's determined to suit up again in 2026. For a player who has already overcome the odds to become one of college football's elite backs, this mindset comes as no surprise.

Hardy transferred to Missouri from UL Monroe in 2025, and his impact was immediate. He ranked second among all FBS players with 1,649 rushing yards in his first season with the Tigers, earning first-team All-America honors and SEC Newcomer of the Year. His 16 touchdowns and 6.4 yards per carry on 256 attempts also made him a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back.

Before his breakout at Missouri, Hardy rushed for 1,351 yards in 2024 at UL Monroe, showing the kind of consistency that made him a priority transfer target. Now, as he begins his recovery, the Tigers and their fans are hoping for more of that same resilience.