Oklahoma Sooners’ star freshman seizing key opportunity to back up elite recruiting status, turning heads early on
With Xavier Robinson missing the spring, key Oklahoma Sooners freshman Jonathan Hatton is already backing up his elite recruiting status.
The Oklahoma Sooners under Brent Venables have built a tremendous recruiting base over the years. Their 2026 class, while not a top-ten class, was a completely rebuilt class that still pulled in several potential key contributors.
One of those was elite running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. Hatton was a key flip for the Sooners over the Texas A&M Aggies just before Signing Day. So far in spring camp, Hatton has been backing up his elite recruiting status with the Sooners, and looks like a key long-term contributor.
Jonathan Hatton has hit the ground running
The Sooners have had some injuries take their toll on the offense. Starting running back Xavier Robinson will likely miss most of the spring. While it doesn’t sound super serious, it has opened up opportunities for the rest of the room.
Hatton has seized that opening with both hands, and has begun showing off the traits that made him such a coveted recruit. The No. 4 running back in the class of 2026 is a gifted athlete, but his decisiveness and physicality stand out the most.
Hatton has taken the reigns as the lead back throughout spring practice, seizing on the opportunity with injuries ahead of him. During Oklahoma’s scrimmage this week, Hatton was a standout, making numerous big plays while rotating with transfer Lloyd Avant at the top of the rotation.
Obviously, spring practice is just the beginning stages of the offseason, and any hype is premature. Still, I think it’s worth noting Hatton has hit the ground running, and looks the part.
On paper, this is easily one of the more talented stables of running backs the Sooners have had in recent memory. Once Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock return over the summer, those two, paired with Hatton, Avant, and fellow freshman DeZephen Walker could be the key in fixing Oklahoma’s “pathetic” rushing attack.
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