Mizzou’s Hardy and Green earn Preseason All-America nods

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou football team had some representation on the Associated Press' Preseason All-American lists, on Tuesday.

Running back Ahmad Hardy and left tackle Cayden Green were the only Tigers to make the list.

Hardy landed on the First-Team offense, alongside former MU running back and current Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy. Of course, Hardy's status for the 2026 season is still up in the air, as he is in the midst of a return-to-play protocol, following a gunshot wound he sustained to his leg in a shooting at a concert in early May.

Despite that, the nation has already seen what Hardy can do on the field. In his first season in Columbia, in 2025, he put the college football world on notice, earning consensus All-America honors for his hard-nosed running style. He rushed for 100-plus yards in the first five games of that season, on his way finishing sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (126.8) and second in total rushing yards (1,649).

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz told media at SEC Media Days that Hardy's return-to-play protocol began with a five to eight week benchmark. The running back has yet to practice in MU's fall camp, but he has been very present with the team and is participating in walk-throughs.

Green landed on the AP Second-Team Offense All-America list, on Tuesday.

The Lee's Summit native is entering his fourth season of college football and his third season in Columbia. He impressed with a last-minute switch to left tackle last season, where he thoroughly impressed, anchoring an offensive line that was recognized on the midseason Watch List for the Joe Moore Award and opened up holes for the nation's No. 8 rushing attack.

This isn't the first set of preseason honors for Hardy and Green, though. They were both named to the preseason All-SEC First Team list and to On3's preseason All-America team, as well.

Up next - the Tigers will open up the season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.