2026 4-star RB Kaydin Jones announces top schools

Jenks (Okla.) four-star running back Kaydin Jones holds offers from 27 schools. He is ready to focus on 11 of them going forward. 

Jones has announced Alabama, Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt as his finalists. The 6-foot-0, 170-pound tailback has already visited Louisville, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. 

“All these schools are high on my list because of the constant love that they show me,” Jones told On3. “I feel like these schools fit me best and I like the production at these schools.” 

Jones, who is going to Oregon on July 27, hopes to find a program where he will have the opportunity to play as a freshman. The No. 1 player in Oklahoma hopes to make a decision after taking official visits to each of the aforementioned schools. 

“What’s most important to me is being 100% locked in with my decision and the school I choose feeling like a place where I can be for the next four years,” said Jones, the No. 102 overall prospect and No. 14 running back in the 2026 On300. 

Jones talks three SEC schools on his list

Alabama: “I feel like he’s a great coach and he’s going to keep it 100% with me, no matter what,” Jones told BamaOnLine on May 14 about Alabama assistant head coach/running backs coach Robert Gillespie. “Bama football is a business, so I know he’s going to keep it real and tell me when I’m lacking or not getting it done. He’s definitely a guy you’d want to play for, seeing how many backs he sends to the league and just the development and success he’s had. 

“As a running back, it’s already hard enough to get to the league since we’re undervalued. With him sending so many guys to the league… it’s kind of like he has the key to success. He knows what it takes to get to the league, so he’s going to put you on the path to better yourself.”

Oklahoma: “They’ve showed that they want me. They’ve showed that I can fit in their system and they’re willing to get me up there. They show me their offense. It’s definitely surreal.” 

“I love the coaches and the hospitality every time I go up there,” he also shared. “Coach DeMarco Murray, he’s been at the highest level and won Offensive Player of the Year in the NFL. That’s definitely exciting, to get that opportunity to play for a coach like that.”

Tennessee: “I like their coaches and their hospitality… You know their offense and they’re a heavily known program. They’re in the SEC and that’s what I like about them a lot.”

Louisville, Michigan State and Oregon are high on Jones’ list

Louisville: “I loved it up there,” Jones told On3 on May 8. “I love coach Chris Barclay. Everything that I got to see on my visit, I loved it. The campus was beautiful. I got to see Churchill Downs. Everything was beautiful.” 

“Me and my dad talked about it and overall, we love them,” he added. “We’ll definitely be back there in the fall.” 

Michigan State: “A coach at Michigan State has been showing me love. He was actually the one who offered me at Colorado and since he moved to Michigan State, it’s been nonstop love.” 

Oregon: “The coaches up there have been great at showing love. Their running backs coach actually left to go to Ohio State, but even through that, they’ve been showing great love and telling me that they want me.”