All-America running back Ahmad Hardy has been discharged from a Mississippi hospital after a shooting over the weekend, and the Missouri standout is returning to Columbia to begin the recovery effort in the hope of playing this season.
The school said in a statement early Sunday that Hardy, a Doak Walker Award finalist for the Tigers last season, had been shot and was in stable condition. Police later said Hardy was shot in the upper leg while attending an outdoor concert at a bike club in Laurel, Miss., about 90 minutes from where he grew up in the small town of Oma.
Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said during an event late Tuesday in Dallas that the timetable for Hardy’s recovery is undetermined.
“We’ll take it day by day,” Drinkwitz said. “He will be back healthy. You know, when you’re dealing with elite athletes, getting back healthy and getting back to elite status is a little tricky in these situations.
“There is an opportunity he could be back this year; there is an opportunity he couldn’t be back this year. We won’t know those answers for a few weeks.”
Laurel police Sgt. Macon Davis told the Laurel Leader-Call three people of interest were in custody after the incident. Davis described the scene as a “melee,” saying at least two people were injured and it was a miracle others were not.
The 20-year-old Hardy began his career at Louisiana-Monroe, where he ran for more than 1,300 yards with 13 touchdowns as a freshman. He transferred to Missouri before last season and ran for 1,649 yards — second among FBS players — and scored 16 touchdowns in helping the Tigers go 8-5 with a loss to Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
His best game came against Mississippi State in November, when he ran 25 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns, joining Devin West as the only players in school history with a 300-yard rushing game. Hardy also ran for 250 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Several mock drafts list the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Hardy as the No. 1 running back available next April.
“He has the full support of our team to help him in his recovery,” Drinkwitz said, “and we’re taking it day by day.”
