Oklahoma’s running game has plenty to prove after last season’s struggles, but one freshman is already drawing national attention as a potential quick fix.
Josh Pate singled out Jonathan Hatton on “Josh Pate's College Football Show,” calling the Sooners’ true freshman a player who could make an immediate impact. Oklahoma finished the 2025 season with one of the worst rushing attacks in college football, ranking No. 113 in rushing yards per game at 118.5, and that lack of production became a major issue even as the team still reached the College Football Playoff.
The playoff run ended after just one game, pushing Brent Venables and his staff back to the drawing board. Oklahoma responded by adding Deland McCullough, one of the best running back coaches in college football, a coach who played a critical role in developing former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Sooners also strengthened the tight end room with three portal additions and made a clear offseason push to emphasize the run game.
Even with those moves, Hatton is the name that has caught Pate’s eye.
"Jonathan Hatton is a top 100 true freshman," Pate said on 'Josh Pate's College Football Show.'" He's (6-foot-1 and 235 pounds)...
This is a situation because of the room he's walking into where he could come in and elevate and be a difference-maker really quickly. That is not me sitting here saying there's RB1 in Week 1.
I'm not saying that. Who knows, maybe he will be.
But it's going to be very hard to keep that guy off the field this year."
Hatton joins a room that already has some proven pieces. Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock return as the top rushers from last season and should open the year as the leading options.
Transfer Lloyd Avant is also getting plenty of offseason buzz. Still, Hatton’s size and skill set give Oklahoma another back who could force his way into the rotation early.
That matters for an offense that needs to take a meaningful step forward in 2026. The Sooners don’t have to turn the rushing attack into a juggernaut overnight, but they do need it to become more consistent and more physical after last season’s issues.
If McCullough gets strong production from the returnees and Hatton grows into a real contributor, Oklahoma could end up with a deeper, more flexible ground game. And if Pate’s read on the freshman proves accurate, Hatton may not stay a hidden piece for long.
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