Texas A&M 2026 4-star RB commit ranked as ESPN's top committed running back
Texas A&M 2026 4-star RB commit ranked as ESPN's top committed running back
Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class includes one of the top running back prospects, four-star Jonathan Hatton Jr., who was previously committed to Oklahoma before decommitting from the Sooners before ultimately shocking many national recruiting outlets by choosing the Aggies, thanks to Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and running back coach Trooper Taylor's influence.
On the field, Hatton is the complete package, possessing the vision, footwork, and acceleration matched with his physical running style to become a No. 1 option during his second or third year at the next level. Among the rest of the running back crop in the 2026 class, Hatton has quickly risen in the ranks in ESPN's 300 rankings, positioned 75th overall, and is currently the No. 1-ranked committed running back in the class.
Derek Cooper, Savion Hiter, Ezavier Crowell, and Davian Groce are ranked above Hatton, but remain uncommitted. While his 2023 sophomore season included 1,222 yards, 21 touchdowns, and five yards per carry, his speed and ability to burst out of small holes and evade defenders led to 1,229 yards, 20 touchdowns, and an incredible 9.17 yards per carry.
According to ESPN, Jonathan Hatton is currently positioned as the 5th-ranked running back and the 6th-ranked prospect in Texas.
As long as OC Collin Klein is employed at Texas A&M, elite running back play is essential to producing offensive points. For every young running back considering the Aggies, senior Le'Veon Moss's skillset is the archetype needed to excel in the SEC and thrive in Klein's system.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
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I just want to say that in support of her.' Soon he's done with us, and walking the hall of Paycom Center. He's heading toward Doris Burke. And as her phone is blowing up, one jolt comes from Rick Carlisle. He's sending her a text message. A story from 15 years ago: At this point, Doris Burke has made a name for herself after analyzing all manner of basketball – NCAA men's and women's, WNBA – and now she's starting to blaze trails: First woman to commentate Knicks games on radio and TV. First woman commentator for a Big East men's game, and to be the lead analyst for a network's conference coverage. First woman to become a full-time national NBA analyst, first woman to call conference and NBA Finals on radio, then TV. But it's not easy, being the first. This isn't the story from 15 years ago – it's coming – but just a few years back Burke was doing a podcast with Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson, an unlikely NBA story himself after playing at Division III Williams College. They got to talking about their shared experience in the NBA. 'We had a long conversation about imposter syndrome,' Burke says. 'I fight it every it day. I've never pretended to play or coach in the NBA. I consider myself in many ways, a very well-studied fan. This game I'm so passionate about, it has shaped my life since I was 7. Yes, I played college basketball (she was an All-American guard at Providence in 1987) but I kind of go at it the way a fan does. When I was a sideline reporter, the questions I was thinking were: What would I have been thinking at home as a fan? What would I have wanted to know?' So this happened about 15 years ago: Doris Burke is preparing for an NBA game, and her broadcast team is meeting with both coaches about 75 minutes before tipoff – and after finishing, one coach stops on his way out. Doris Burke is telling me this story Thursday night, in the minutes after Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has just beaten the Thunder in the final second of Game 1. The Paycom Center is still buzzing wildly, not unlike her cell phone before the game, and Burke is standing at her courtside booth, removing all those microphones and earpieces. She's telling me about this meeting 15 years ago, and she's showing me what happened as that coach stopped on his way out the door: 'He grabs me by the shoulders and looks me in the eye,' Burke tells me, then shows me. 'And he says, 'Doris, you are doing an incredible job at this.'' That was how she met Rick Carlisle. They've talked a lot over the years, work and otherwise, professional colleagues and real-world friends. That's why Carlisle texted her Thursday night before his visit with ESPN's broadcast team. He texted her something supportive, something along the lines of what he'd just told the media, and now Burke is confused. 'I'm thinking, 'Oh boy, he's not going to say something out there is he?'' she says. 'Shortly after I have that thought, multiple people hit me with texts about what he's just said.' Burke is grateful, and the emotions are coming. And now there he is, walking into the soundproof interview room. 'He greets us all normally,' Burke says. 'I always hug him, but I just probably squeezed him a little tighter than normal, and I said: 'The article is just part of the business. I didn't really react to it, but I did react to your support of me and I can't thank you enough.' 'I was emotional,' she says, 'no question about it.' Burke is telling me about it, and it's happening again. 'I've said this often,' she says, and she's pausing because the gratitude filling her heart is now reaching up into her throat and catching her words. 'Forgive me here,' she says, then continues. 'The players and the coaches, going back to my time covering every single thing I've ever covered – women's and men's college, WNBA, NBA – the players and coaches have been always my soft landing spot. They have always given me incredible support. And at various times I've expressed gratitude.' Now she wants to be specific, about the supremely public gesture – more than that – Rick Carlisle had made for her before Game 1. 'Think about who Rick Carlisle is as person,' she says. 'He is about to coach Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and he takes the time to reach out to me to make sure I am OK. He is so passionate about the game and everyone who is part of the game. There is a reason he has led the (NBA) coaches association for as long as he has, a reason why he talks to players about getting into coaching and making them believe they can have an impact in this profession. There is a reason when he talks about officials, that he does it with incredible respect. 'It blows me away that in that moment in time, he has the heart to feel for another human being. So incredibly moving to me.' They hug there in the broadcast room, Doris Burke thanks Rick Carlisle, and then it is time to work. 'We got down to the business of basketball,' she says. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
