Missouri’s 2026 recruiting class just got a major in-state boost - and it comes in the form of a game-breaking back with a flair for the dramatic. On Saturday, Lee’s Summit (Mo.) standout Preston Hatfield announced his commitment to the Tigers, giving Eli Drinkwitz and his staff another dynamic weapon in the backfield.
Hatfield, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back, is fresh off a monster senior season that turned heads across the region. Despite playing in just eight games, he racked up 1,662 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, helping power Lee’s Summit to a 10-4 record and a Class 6 state championship.
His per-game average? A staggering 207.8 yards.
That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
And if there was any doubt about his ability to perform under pressure, Hatfield erased it in the title game. He exploded for 457 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 41-37 win over Nixa (Mo.), putting the team on his back and delivering one of the most memorable individual performances in recent Missouri high school football history. That kind of clutch, high-volume output is exactly what programs look for in a future difference-maker.
Hatfield finished the year second on his team in total touchdowns with 19, just behind fellow Missouri commit Karsten Fiene. That’s right - two of the state champions’ most electric playmakers are headed to Columbia. The Tigers are clearly prioritizing in-state talent, and it’s paying off.
Hatfield becomes the second running back to join Missouri’s 2026 class, alongside three-star Maxwell Warner, who signed during the Early Signing Period in December. The Tigers brought in 19 prospects during that early window, and Hatfield’s commitment adds even more depth - and explosiveness - to a class that’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing groups in recent years.
For Missouri, this isn’t just about adding another name to the list. It’s about building a future backfield with speed, vision, and big-game pedigree. Hatfield checks all those boxes - and then some.