Oklahoma Sooners QB John Mateer says exactly what needs to be said about one true freshman who could see the field quite a bit in 2026
The Oklahoma Sooners need a big year from the running back room, and Jonathan Hatton Jr. could provide that.
The Oklahoma Sooners need a massive leap on offense in 2026 if they want to contend for a National Championship. Oklahoma finished 13th in the SEC in rush yards per game last season, one of the worst marks in the conference.
The Sooners have spent the offseason addressing that weakness, and true freshman running back Jonathan Hatton may be the most exciting addition of the bunch. He’s already making a significant impression on teammates far more experienced than he is, and the early reviews suggest he could see real playing time from the jump. Quarterback John Mateer was recently asked about Hatton and offered a glowing assessment.
“Yeah, he’s pretty good, pretty big, pretty fast. I try to be big and fast, but there’s a whole other world with what he is. He puts his head down and works. He’s picking it up good.”
That is exactly what you want to hear the starting quarterback say about a true freshman running back. Mateer isn’t known for handing out empty compliments, and the fact that he went out of his way to acknowledge the gap between his own athleticism and Hatton’s says a lot about what the freshman has shown so far in fall camp.
Hatton has the size-speed combination the Sooners need
When you look at what makes Hatton so intriguing, it starts with the physical profile. He is the biggest back in the room, or at least tied for it with Xavier Robinson. But it sounds like he might also be the fastest.
Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna, arguably the fastest player on the entire roster, has already said Hatton is one of the quickest players on the team. Having that combination of size and speed as a true freshman is elite, and it gives the offense another weapon to work with in a backfield that suddenly has real depth.
Oklahoma has a recent history of giving true freshman running backs meaningful snaps. Last season, Tory Blaylock saw significant playing time as a true freshman, largely because Robinson dealt with injuries. Robinson’s injury history means there is no guarantee he stays healthy for a full SEC schedule, and Blaylock ended last season with an injury of his own.
The Sooners also added Lloyd Avant through the transfer portal, and true freshman DeZephen Walker will be vying for snaps as well. The running back room is deeper than it has been in years, but Hatton’s physical tools separate him from the pack.
Early-season schedule could open the door for Hatton
The Sooners open the year with a stretch of non-conference opponents before diving into SEC play. Those early games against lower-level competition could give the coaching staff the chance to hand Hatton a healthy dose of carries without the pressure of a conference matchup.
That’s where the evaluation really begins. If Hatton can translate his camp buzz into production against live competition, the staff will have a much better idea of how much they can lean on him once the schedule ramps up.
Hatton, along with Robinson, Blaylock, Avant, and Walker, could be a big reason why the Sooners’ offense takes a significant step forward. Oklahoma has also added blocking tight ends Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers, two players who should help create running lanes on the edge. The pieces are in place for the ground game to climb from one of the worst in the SEC to at least middle of the pack, if not better.
Everything has to come together, and a lot of it depends on health and development. But the early signs from Hatton are encouraging. A true freshman who already has the respect of the starting quarterback and the fastest player on the roster is someone worth watching when the season kicks off.
