Texas A&M secured the dedication of four-star rusher Jonathan Hatton Jr. on Saturday, edging fellow finalist Oklahoma for ESPN’s No. 5 working again and No. 73 general prospect.
Hatton, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound recruit from Cibolo, Texas, is the fifth-ranked prospect from the state of Texas within the 2026 class. He’s Texas A&M’s ninth pledge within the cycle, and Hatton joins Douglasville, Georgia, teammates Jordan Carter (No. 30) and Aaron Gregory (No. 53) because the third top-100 recruit in coach Mike Elko’s second full recruiting class with the Aggies.
“They’ve performed some superb issues at Texas A&M and that college is simply one thing I wish to be part of,” Hatton instructed ESPN. “The teaching workers is nice. Between the coaches and this system, they’re solely going to raise from right here.”
Hatton initially dedicated to Oklahoma in October 2023 throughout his sophomore season at Byron P. Steele II (Texas Excessive College). Hatton, who was additionally a standout observe sprinter, rushed for 1,229 yards and 20 touchdowns in Texas’ high highschool classification final fall. He remained the highest prospect within the Sooners’ 2026 class as much as his decommitment from Oklahoma on Dec. 2, 2024, sooner or later after the Sooners employed former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
“I noticed I used to be lacking out on a bunch of stuff simply because I used to be dedicated as a sophomore,” Hatton mentioned. “Once I reopened my course of, all these colleges got here pouring in. I undoubtedly really feel like I made the precise resolution, decommitting from OU. I needed to place myself in the very best place for me.”
Hatton fielded curiosity from Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee within the last weeks of 2024. Oklahoma maintained its presence in his recruitment, too. Hatton instructed ESPN that he constructed a great relationship with Arbuckle throughout his preliminary months with the Sooners, and Hatton visited this system March 8.
But it was Texas A&M that emerged as the highest contender for Hatton as soon as he reopened his recruitment final yr. Hatton made his most up-to-date go to to this system this weekend, and upon sealing his dedication Saturday, Hatton grew to become the third-ranked member within the Aggies’ 2026 class.
He joins Gregory, ESPN’s No. 9 large receiver prospect, and four-star quarterback Helaman Casuga (No. 268 general) in a rising assortment of offensive expertise sure for Texas A&M this cycle. The Aggies additionally maintain commitments from tight end-Y Caleb Tafua and athlete Madden Williams, who is anticipated to play large receiver.
Texas A&M signed four-star working again Deondrae Riden and three-star rusher Jamarion Morrow within the 2025 cycle. Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels — the Aggies’ high two main rushers from a yr in the past — are each set to return to this system this fall.
“Ever since final summer season, the connection with them simply received stronger and stronger,” Hatton mentioned of Texas A&M. “Coach Elko, [running backs coach] Trooper Taylor, and [offensive coordinator] Collin Klein are all tremendous nice coaches to be round and discuss ball. The offense is loopy. It is one thing totally different that Coach Klein does over there.”
Hatton’s pledge happens throughout a big recruiting weekend at Texas A&M with a handful of ESPN Junior 300 recruits on campus.
5-star tackles Lamar Brown (No. 5 general) and Immanuel Iheanacho (No. 9) every made the journey to see the Aggies. 4-star large receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster (No. 21 general) and security Jireh Edwards (No. 43) are among the many different precedence targets visiting this weekend.