Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy drops huge hint about his future plans

After defeating Arkansas 31-17, Missouri improved to 8-4 on the year, and also jumped back into the AP Top 25. Still, the best news from the victory might have come from star running back Ahmad Hardy.

Hardy, a transfer from Louisiana-Monroe, is the second leading rusher in the nation with 1,560 yards, behind only Jacksonville State's Cam Cook. He's a finalist for the Doak Walker award, and will certainly be a hot name once the transfers portal ramps up. But in the same week Missouri locked up head coach Eli Drinkwitz for the foreseeable future, they might have unintentionally done the same with Hardy.

When asked about Drinkwitz's extension, Hardy said, "All I know is he's staying, so that's good for me."

Will Ahmad Hardy run it back with Missouri in 2026?

Hardy's comments will surely bring a sigh of relief among the Mizzou faithful. While Hardy is still a year away from becoming NFL Draft eligible, he's still free to transfer if he chooses. There will be no shortage of teams snooping around, and Missouri may have to fend off a flurry of potential suitors. It appears for now though, that Drinkwitz's extension has put a stop to those ideas.

Drinkwitz has no thoughts of letting his star running back leave either, and emphasized Hardy is more than just the best running back in the SEC.

"I think he's proven he's the best, most-consistent 'back in college football," said Drinkwitz. Whether he wins the (Doak Walker Award), that's for committees to decide, and y'all know how I feel about committees. We'll see. But it's really not close who's the best 'back in college football."