Kaydin Jones Recommits to Oklahoma State After Brief Kansas Pledge
The recruiting world rarely stays still for long, and Kaydin Jones just reminded us why. The three-star running back out of Jenks, Oklahoma, has flipped his commitment back to Oklahoma State, just weeks after pledging to Kansas. It's a full-circle moment for the Class of 2026 prospect, who originally backed away from the Cowboys following the departure of longtime head coach Mike Gundy in late September.
Jones’ initial decommitment came on the same day Gundy was let go, a move that sent ripples through Oklahoma State’s recruiting class. The uncertainty at the top prompted several commits to reevaluate their futures - Jones included. But after a short stint as a Kansas commit, which included an official visit to Lawrence on Halloween, he’s decided to return to Stillwater.
The timing of his flip isn’t coincidental. Oklahoma State recently brought in former North Texas head coach Eric Morris to lead the program, and that change seems to have rekindled Jones’ interest in the Cowboys.
On social media, he made his return known with a message to fans: *“Cowboy fans sorry for the wait, I’m back.” *
Jones is a solid get for OSU’s backfield of the future. At 6-foot, 185 pounds, he brings a blend of size, speed, and versatility that coaches covet in a modern running back.
According to Rivals, he ranks as the No. 508 overall prospect in the nation, the 31st-ranked running back, and the seventh-best player in Oklahoma. Meanwhile, 247Sports has him slightly higher - 24th among running backs and sixth in the state.
For Kansas, this is another tough loss in what’s been a turbulent recruiting cycle. Just recently, they saw four-star safety JJ Dunnigan - ranked No. 92 nationally in the 2026 class - decommit and head to Miami.
Now, with Jones flipping back to Oklahoma State, the Jayhawks’ 2026 class has taken another hit. As of now, 247Sports ranks Kansas’ class 50th in the nation, with their top commit being offensive tackle Kaden Snyder, a four-star in-state lineman ranked 28th at his position.
Jones’ decision underscores how quickly things can change in the recruiting landscape - especially when coaching changes are involved. With Eric Morris now at the helm in Stillwater, Oklahoma State is starting to stabilize its 2026 class, and bringing Jones back into the fold is a strong early statement. For Kansas, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to reload a class that’s seen some key names slip away.