Texas A&M‘s push towards a top-ranked recruiting haul in 2026 was strengthened on Saturday because the Aggies secured a dedication from one of many nation’s greatest operating backs from contained in the state.
4-star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. dedicated to the Aggies over Oklahoma, the place the again was verbally dedicated for greater than a 12 months as an underclassman. Texas A&M got here on robust with Rivals’ No. 6-rated RB this time final 12 months — and has hosted the bull-dozing again on a number of events since.
After returning earlier this spring, Hatton’s thoughts was made up. Texas A&M checked off the most important field on his record.
“Crucial factor to me is household. My mother and father have been going to my video games since I used to be 9 years outdated; they do not wanna change that now that I will school,” Hatton informed Rivals. “As a result of it was a precedence for me, Texas A&M made positive that all the pieces was proper for them.”
The four-star RB made a string of visits to Faculty Station final fall — whereas dedicated to Oklahoma — and was again on campus in January for junior day.
Hatton has rapidly ascended up the Aggies’ board at RB alongside the way in which.
“They began to choose issues up heavy with me final low season, final March, and we have been speaking for a couple of 12 months now,” he began. “Our connections have been getting stronger and stronger. The identical with the coaches — they’re nice to speak to, to speak ball with, to be round … They’re nice individuals.”
Main the way in which was Troop Taylor, the Aggies’ operating backs coach. Mike Elko and offensive coordinator Collin Klein additionally lent a hand on this courtship.
“The entire teaching workers is nice. Coach Troop, Coach Elko, Coach Klein — these are nice guys and nice coaches,” Hatton stated. “I slot in nice over there. It is an incredible program. Once we went as much as the video games in-season and watched Coach Klein’s offense — it is one thing completely different.”
“I slot in nicely in that offense,” he added in.
The Aggies have been trending in the suitable path with the four-star again for the reason that tail finish of his junior season. They fended off a late run from Oklahoma — once more — forward of Saturday’s dedication.
“Once I reopened my recruitment, I noticed I used to be lacking out on a bunch of issues,” Hatton stated. “One cause I decommitted was to verify I used to be going to place myself in one of the best place — the place I will get one of the best alternatives at.”
“Texas A&M is unquestionably a program that is elevated,” he continued. “There is no different path for them however up. Their first 12 months with Coach Elko that they had an incredible season. With that program and people coaches, it is solely going up from right here.”
