⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz said on August 22 that Ahmad Hardy would miss the opener and needed two full weeks of full-speed practice before playing, clarifying that clearance to rehabilitate was not clearance to practice and declining to commit to a return date. - Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons opened the August 22 scrimmage with touchdown drives capped by a roughly 35-40-yard pass to Caleb Goodie and a back-shoulder throw to Donovan Olugbode, although Drinkwitz said later false starts and reduced attention to detail hampered the offense. - Missouri's August 22 camp assessment identified Darris Smith and Daeden Hopkins as established pass-rush threats and credited Langden Kitchen's edge work, while Drinkwitz described Marquis Gracial and Jalen Marshall as physical interior defensive linemen. - Missouri's Brett Norfleet followed a roughly 50-yard catch in the prior scrimmage with a roughly 45-yard seam reception on August 22, elevating over a safety against cover three in an example of the downfield receiving ability Drinkwitz praised. - Missouri kicker Blake Craig made four of five field goals in the August 22 scrimmage, with his only miss coming from 53 yards and all other attempts beyond 35 yards according to Drinkwitz.

- It is officially game week for Mizzou. - The Tigers open the season Thursday night against the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine-Bluff. - On Saturday, Eli Drinkwitz released the depth chart entering the game. - It is the first official depth chart after three weeks of preseason camp.

- Missouri treated its second scrimmage as a four-quarter preseason game focused on execution: the offense opened with two touchdown drives, while the first-team defense answered with an interception on its second series. - Kicker Blake Craig rebounded from an inconsistent first scrimmage by making four of five field goals, all from beyond 35 yards; his only miss came from 53. - Darris Smith and Daeden Hopkins established themselves as Missouri's top edge pass rushers, while DT Donta Simpson was fully cleared after a return-to-play protocol and took every scheduled rep as an interior pass-rush option. - Chris Graves, Jahlil Florence and STAR Kensley Louidor-Faustin recorded interceptions; Sione Laulea and Florence remained in the competition to start opposite Graves at cornerback. - QB Austin Simmons hit Caleb Goodie for a 35-to-40-yard touchdown and Donovan Olugbode for a back-shoulder score, while TE Brett Norfleet added a roughly 45-yard seam catch; later turnovers and false starts remained cleanup points.

- Missouri used its first fall scrimmage primarily to evaluate individual blocking, yards after catch, tackling, physicality and pass rush, while holding out several proven veterans to create developmental reps; a second preseason scrimmage under the lights was scheduled for the following Saturday. - RB Ahmad Hardy remained in rehabilitation and was not yet participating in walk-through work; Missouri planned to reassess him with doctors at the end of his first five-week recovery block on Aug. 22. - Quarterback Austin Simmons answered a first-drive interception with a touchdown drive. Eli Drinkwitz praised his coachability, ability to learn from mistakes and emotional consistency while noting that the turnover still needed correction. - Missouri considered Cayden Green and Luke Work the likely starting tackles, with Logan Reichert, Jack Lange and versatile five-position lineman Whit Hafer competing to become the third tackle. - On defense, Kensley Louidor-Faustin and C.J. Bass were competing at star with Bass recording a takeaway; edge defender Langden Kitchen had become difficult to block, and corners Sione Laulea and Jahlil Florence made notable scrimmage plays.

- Alabama lost defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman to a season-ending ACL injury; defensive back Jorden Edmonds is targeted for a midseason return, while EJ Crowell and receiver Noah Rogers are expected back sooner. Arkansas lost tight end Maddox Lassiter, defensive lineman J'Lynn Allen and punter Connor Smith for 2026, but RB1 Sutton Smith should be ready for the opener. - Auburn linebacker J.J. Faulk is out for the year, with tight end Jonathan Edwards, tackle Tai Buster and corner Devin Williams still uncertain. Florida reported no major camp loss; Georgia remains without Amaris Williams and likely Dante Dowdell, while center Drew Bobo should play. Kentucky running back Tovani Mizell is out, with Jovante Barnes and receiver Nic Anderson questionable. - LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and linebacker Whit Weeks are full-go, though edge Gabe Reliford remains out. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy will miss the opener but is practicing; Gavin Hoffman should be ready and Donta Simpson is cleared. Oklahoma center Jake Maikkula is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. - Ole Miss reported no major preseason injury. South Carolina lost receivers Jaden Sellers and Jayden Gibson for the season, with tackle Jacarrius Peak expected out roughly two weeks and Dylan Stewart unavailable opening weekend. Tennessee lost Edrees Farooq, Jaedon Harmon and Jadas Richard, with several more questionable plus Arion Carter suspended one game. - Texas is evaluating left tackle Trevor Goosby's knee, though no tear was initially indicated. Texas A&M lost Chace Sims and Tiger Riden for the season and receiver Jerome Myles left the team. Vanderbilt had no major new camp injury, while Mississippi State's principal questions are receiver Ayden Williams and limited defensive linemen D.J. Reed and Kalvin Dinkins.

- Florida transfer Naeshaun Montgomery earned first-team X-receiver status after being one of Missouri's most improved players from spring through fall camp, pairing speed with strong hands and consistent practice production. - Eli Drinkwitz expects Montgomery to rank among Missouri's top four or five receivers by snap count. Quarterback Austin Simmons has an established rapport with him, and Montgomery made several high-end catches in closed scrimmages. - Missouri rebuilt the receiver room with Montgomery, Cayden Lee and Cincinnati transfer Caleb Goodie while retaining Donovan Olugbode, Shaun Terry II and DaMarion Fowlkes. The goal is to correct a passing offense that ranked last in the SEC and 104th nationally in 2025. - The offensive bet is that Simmons, new coordinator Chip Lindsey and quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley can add a credible downfield complement to Missouri's efficient run game; Arkansas-Pine Bluff provides the first look before higher-leverage SEC games.

- Intel: Nicholas Rodriguez and Robert Woodyard Jr are the guys you feel the most comfortable with heading into 2026.

- RB/LB: Four #Mizzou players were named to the Coaches All-SEC Preseason team First team: RB Ahmad Hardy OT Cayden Green Second team: LS Brett Le Blanc Third team: LB Robert Woodyard Jr.

- DL: Mizzou’s edge room loses a lot of production, but has a lot to prove.

- Defense: You can feel a whole lot better about this room with Sterling Webb’s return.

- Offense: Eli Drinkwitz gave more clarity to the offensive picture, but competition for multiple defensive spots continues

- LB: Mizzou loaded the transfer portal with high upside plays on the defense.

- DL: The veteran EDGE rusher hopes to lead a new group of faces to familiar heights.

- DL/LB: Former #Mizzou DL Sterling Webb's eligibility lawsuit will not have a hearing this morning after all.

- DL/LB: Louis County judge is granting a TRO to former #Mizzou DL Sterling Webb that will make him eligible to play college football in 2026, per @KatieKull1 , who is in the courtroom for @stltoday...

- DL/LB: “Sterling (Webb) will be at practice on Monday,” said Bob Blitz, part of the UM System Board of Curators and the #Mizzou DL’s legal team, as he left the courtroom this morning in St.

- OL/DL: Eli Drinkwitz was asked which players on each side of the ball needs to have "great seasons" for #Mizzou to be succesful this season: Offense- Austin Simmons, the right tackle Defense - Marquis Gracial...

- ### Top Actionable Intel - Main football news is RB Ahmad Hardy's availability after he was shot in the upper leg at a Mississippi concert. The host said Missouri expected a full recovery but did not yet know whether Hardy would play in 2026. - Hardy was described as stable, alert, moving around, and expected to be re-evaluated over roughly the next month. The host avoided projecting Missouri's 2026 offense until more medical clarity exists. - If Hardy misses time, Jamal Roberts becomes much more important. The host specifically noted Missouri was fortunate to retain Roberts as a quality RB option. - This is legitimate market-moving injury/availability intel because Hardy is Missouri's star back and the offense's season outlook changes materially if he is unavailable or limited.