Ahmad Hardy Drawing Cam Skattebo Comparisons Ahead of Missouri’s 2026 CFP Push

The 2026 Missouri Tigers find themselves at a crossroads that feels more like a launchpad than a rebuilding phase. After an 8-5 record in 2025, Eli Drinkwitz is expected to make the case for a playoff slot in 2026. With a revamped roster, the 2026 season could be defined by Ahmad Hardy.

Ahmad Hardy the Closest College Player to Cam Skattebo in 2026

RJ Young recently appeared on his “Adapt & Respond” channel and touched upon Hardy and why he actually returned to Missouri for the 2026 season. In addition, he didn’t shy away from making a close parallel with the New York Giants star Cam Skattebo.

“From speed to vision to yards after contact to contact balance, Ahmad Hardy is the closest thing to Cam Skattebo that we have in college football in 2026. And the more I look at it, the more I can’t wait to see him play,” Young said.

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Young then explained that a 1600-plus yard season wasn’t “out of the question” for Hardy. A few days ago, the Missouri RB admitted that he had turned down significant NIL offers to stay with the Tigers. Young added that it was due to his desire to be a Missouri Tiger and take them to the College Football Playoff.

“Yeah, he wants to play for Drinkwitz and he wants to be a Tiger. The reason to return to Missouri is to get to the College Football Playoff. That’s where Missouri wants to be; that’s where Missouri has been chasing,” Young declared.

To make it happen, Drinkwitz wants to do what Ole Miss did last season. That’s the reason they moved to sign Austin Simmons in the transfer portal. Simmons brings a cannon of an arm that Mizzou has lacked in recent years, specifically targeting the vertical deep shots that Drinkwitz loves to call.

The link-up between Simmons and Hardy is the season’s biggest X-factor. While Hardy admitted the left-handed spin took a second to adjust to in spring ball, the pairing is a defensive coordinator’s nightmare. It could also boost their chances to make the CFP, which stands at 17%, per PFSN’s CFB Playoff Meter.

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For the Mizzou faithful, the 8-win ceiling is a thing of the past. The expectation in 2026 is a deep run into the College Football Playoff.

With a schedule that includes high-stakes home games against Texas and Oklahoma, the fans are ready for the Tigers to finally force their way into the national elite. They don’t just want to be a tough out in the SEC; they want the trophy.