The Oklahoma Sooners are in desperate need of fixing the running game this upcoming season. The Sooners ranked No. 113 in rushing offense last year at 118.5 yards per game, the second-worst among College Football Playoff teams.
So, Oklahoma has placed an emphasis on improving its rushing attack this offseason. Some of that is the addition of tight end coach Jason Witten and running back coach Deland McCullough. It's also due to what they return in the running back room and the new additions. Oklahoma returns its top two rushers at the running back position in Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson.
The Sooners also added Colorado State Rams transfer Lloyd Avant, who has received significant offseason buzz. But there is one guy that is stealing the show.
Former Oklahoma All-American Teddy Lehman said he's been blown away by four-star freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr.
"Hatton is looking better and better and better," Lehman said on the 'Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman.' "I mean, had a really nice day out there at the scrimmage. He had a couple of big-time plays. You've got a 235-pound tailback that's one of the fastest guys on the team. So, we have a dude."
The Oklahoma Sooners just might have themselves a DUDE at running back... pic.twitter.com/mwldYq3mGs
— The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman (@OK_Breakdown) August 17, 2026
At 235 pounds, Hatton already has the size to handle the physical demands of SEC football. If Lehman's assessment of his speed and explosiveness is accurate, he could bring a combination that is difficult for defenses to account for.
Oklahoma's goal is simple: become more efficient on the ground and take pressure off quarterback John Mateer. If Hatton continues making plays once the season begins, he could quickly go from an intriguing freshman to an important piece of the Sooners' offensive resurgence.
The Sooners desperately need more from their running game in 2026, and Hatton is giving them another reason to believe the answer could already be in the building.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Teddy Lehman believes Oklahoma has a 'dude' emerging at running back
