A group of schools have emerged as early contenders for 2026 4-star RB Kaydin Jones

Oklahoma was a “dream school” for Jenks (Okla.) four-star running back Kaydin Jones growing up. He has a family connection to the Sooners, as his father – Kejuan Jones – was a tailback in Norman from 2002-05.

Jones is still very interested in Oklahoma, along with Louisville , Michigan State , Oregon and Tennessee among other programs. The 6-foot-0, 170-pound recruit most recently visited the Sooners on April 20, the Volunteers on April 13 and the Cardinals on April 12. He has also been to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech .

“I’d say I’m still pretty early in my recruitment,” Jones told On3. “I’ve talked to my parents about it and I think I want to set a decision after my junior season, maybe in the summer after my junior year.”

Jones, who hopes to see Michigan State and Oregon soon, currently holds offers from nearly 25 schools. The No. 1 player in Oklahoma already knows what matters most to him in a program.

“It’s really about what they can do for me after I leave the school,” said Jones, the No. 91 overall prospect and No. 11 running back in the 2026 On300 . “I am looking at the type of offense they run. Is it an offense that’s going to translate to the NFL? Playing in the league is my ultimate goal, so it is important that they have an offense that I can relate to and they can take me in as a player.”

Oklahoma has shown Jones they want him

As a top in-state recruit and the son of a former Oklahoma running back that recorded more than 2,300 rushing yards with the program, Jones does not “feel any pressure” to choose the Sooners. Yet the soon-to-be SEC school certainly has his attention.

Jones has already visited Oklahoma around five times. It goes “great” every time the four-star is on the Sooners’ campus.

“They’ve showed that they want me,” Jones said. “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.”

Before Jones’ visit to Norman for the spring game in April, he was last at Oklahoma on March 9. The four-star has bonded with multiple Sooners staffers, including running backs coach DeMarco Murray .

“I love the coaches and the hospitality every time I go up there,” Jones said. “Coach 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.”

Louisville, Michigan State, Oregon and Tennessee appeal to Jones

Louisville : “I loved it up there. 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.”

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.”

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