For nearly the past 6 seasons, Missouri has had no shortage of dominant running backs. Larry Rountree, Tyler Badie, Cody Schrader, and now Ahmad Hardy. Under running back coach, Curtis Luper, each of these talented individuals posted 1,000 yard seasons. Yet, for the first time in a while, a caution flag is waived. Optimistic yes, but cautious.
In May, unfortunate news came straight out of left field as the team made a post on X, announcing that star running back, Ahmad Hardy, had been shot at a concert in Mississippi. At the time, we were unsure about the potential timetable for a return. Recently however, the fog has been cleared from the lenses, with Hardy being medically cleared.
As of writing this, the junior has yet to join practice, but on Saturday, Eli Drinkwitz announced that they will have more information on August 22nd. Everything currently indicates that it’s not a matter of if Hardy comes back, but when? If Hardy makes his return, or should I say when, does he lose a step? All things that must be considered.
Jamal Robert’s, who played a large role last season and had quite the breakout season, will lead the charge going into week 1. Let’s break down the running back room, going from expected starters, all the way towards the bottom of the depth chart.

Expected starter: Jamal Roberts, junior:

Jamal Roberts is a Missouri kid. Coming from an excellent program in St Mary’s high school, Robert’s was a 3-star recruit heading into his 2023 season. Roberts only appeared in 1 game that year, slowly waiting on an opportunity.

In 2024, it was much of the same. Roberts was behind Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll, yet despite that, found a way to notch 53 carries for 216 yards. Roberts showed glimpses of a quick burst, solid agility, and hitting holes quick. Sounds familiar now doesn’t it?

Heading into the 25-26 season, Missouri landed Ahmad Hardy. The moment that Eli and company landed him, many people forgot about Roberts. You saw the potential, but you also saw the brand new shiny toy. Hardy made quite the impression early on, but Roberts was tired of waiting. He saw his opportunity and took it. In the reboot of the Border War, Roberts was a man possessed. Roberts ran the ball 13 times, for a staggering 143 yards. His name was no longer unheard. In fact, his name was heralded, as he ran in the decisive go-ahead touchdown from 60 yards plus. Roberts posted 3 games over 100 yards last season, despite playing behind a heisman talent.

Roberts story is simple. It’s a kid who could’ve left and honestly, had every good reason to. If we’re honest, he starts on most SEC ball clubs. Yet, despite that, Roberts has stuck it out and proven his worth. This season, it’s his biggest shot yet.

RB2 Xai’Shaun Edwards, RS So: Shoutout the transfer portal am I right? Edwards comes from Howard Christian on the FCS level, making a massive jump to the SEC this year. Something tells me we’ve seen this before, but I just can’t remember? Oh well. Obviously, Edwards is not being brought into start, as he is piled underneath two very talented running backs. Yet again, because of the Ahmad Hardy situation, Edwards will be filling in as RB2 for the foreseeable future.

At Howard Christian, Edwards barely saw any game time as a freshman, as he redshirted in 24. In the next season however, Edwards shot out of a cannon, as he marked a 1,000 yard season, with 1,019 on 194 carries, along with 12 touchdowns. That’ll play. Edwards is a small back, standing only at 5’9, but he makes up for it with his speed and tenacity.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see a 70/30 split with Roberts and Edwards, with Edwards getting plenty of opportunities early on in the season. I do believe he has the talent to be a formidable running back, specifically through the non-conference slate.

3rd string (returning starter) Ahmad Hardy, Jr: I mean, it’s a no brainer. If Ahmad Hardy gets healthy, he’s the starter pretty much no matter what. Jamal Roberts could run for 150 a pop in the first 3 games, but Hardy as RB1 is inevitable.

What Hardy did statistically last season, is legitimately stupid. It’s stupid how good he was. Hardy had 251 carries, for a mind blowing 1,651 yards, with 16 touchdowns. Arguments could be made that with better management, Hardy could have won a heisman trophy last year. Hardy had 2 games over 200 yards, one of which being 300 against Mississippi State. In 13 appearances, 8 games over 100 yards, nearly 9. The guy is nuts. I’ve watched Missouri football since I was 5 and he’s the most talented running back I’ve seen in the uniform.

Unfortunately we’ve got to halt a bit. When does he come back? Missouri will still likely bode well without him, but his absence will be felt. Again however, will it be Ahmad Hardy coming back, or will it be a declined version? Will it be the best steak, or a cheap one from Walmart? Unfortunately, we won’t know the answer until we see him and that information has yet to have been presented.

One thing is for sure however. If Hardy comes back fully healthy, this offense will receive a shot in the arm.

Heading into this season, this is one of the most talented running back rooms Missouri has had. Now, it’s time to see if they capitalize on it.