Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is facing an absolutely wild and uncertain start to his season after suffering an upper leg gunshot wound on May 10. This is the guy who ripped off 1,649 rushing yards last season, the most of any returning running back in the entire Power 4. Now, his Week 1 status is totally up in the air, a massive blow for the Tigers and something every college football fan needs to pay attention to.
Ole Miss’s Backfield is Loaded, But Ohio State’s Smith Is Just Different
While Hardy’s recovery is a huge question mark, the Sporting News 2026 preseason All-America team is still stacked with talent ready to make noise. Ole Miss is looking absolutely dangerous, especially with their first-team quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss. This dude got a sixth-year waiver to come back, and if last season is any indication, he’s going to make the most of it. Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. Add in his 527 rushing yards and 8 scores, and it’s no wonder he’s the top quarterback in their 2026 rankings. He even averaged 307 passing yards per game during their CFP semifinal run! And guess who he’s partnered with? Running back Kewan Lacy, who pounded out 1,567 rushing yards and a ridiculous 24 touchdowns at 5.1 yards per carry. PFF.com says he had 38 rushes over 10 yards, proving he’s got that between-the-tackles grind *and* the breakaway speed. That Ole Miss backfield is going to be something else.
But let’s not forget about Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, who is arguably the most imposing offensive force in the FBS. Seriously, this guy’s consistency is unreal. He’s pulled down 163 catches on 211 targets over two seasons, totaling 2,528 yards with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 27 touchdown receptions. Even with defenses keying in on him, he’s still dominating, averaging 20.7 yards per catch in five career CFP games. And down in Miami, Malachi Toney led all FBS receivers with 109 receptions as part of the Hurricanes’ run to the CFP championship game last season. These receivers are ready to light up scoreboards.
SEC Dominance and the Battle for QB Glory
The SEC is absolutely running the show on this Preseason All-America team, with a whopping 23 players scattered across the lists. That’s more than any other conference, by far, with the Big Ten a distant second with 14. Texas leads the pack with six players, five of them first-teamers, including edge rusher Colin Simmons and receiver Cam Coleman. It shows the sheer talent running through the conference. Speaking of quarterbacks, Arch Manning, the much-hyped guy heading into his second season at Texas, is on the second team. Why? Because Chambliss got that first-team nod, and frankly, you can’t argue with those numbers. Ole Miss has four first-team selections on this list, proving they’re not just a one-man show. Notre Dame and Oregon both got four players on the team, while Georgia, Iowa, Ohio State, and Texas Tech each had three.
So, what’s next for these guys? We’ve got to watch the absolute suspense around Ahmad Hardy and if he can possibly suit up for Week 1. That’s a story that has major season-long implications. Can Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy keep that Ole Miss offense absolutely humming? And will Jeremiah Smith continue his reign of terror over opposing defenses? Get ready for some wild college football action.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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