The Oklahoma Sooners couldn't do much better after losing the commitment of 2028 running back Micah Rhodes after running backs coach DeMarco Murray left for the NFL, but they're still looking to turn that deficit into an upgrade.
Kevin Hartsfield, the top running back in the 2028 class, announced via X an offer from the Sooners on Monday as OU joined a crowded race loaded with college football blue bloods also wanting Hartsfield in their future backfield. And it's obvious why Hartsfield is such a top target for everyone.
Oklahoma offers Kevin Hartsfield after losing Micah Rhodes
Rhodes was the Sooners' lone pledge from the 2028 class after committing in January as the No. 3 running back in the country. After Murray left just a few weeks later to be the Kansas City Chiefs' new running backs coach, though, Rhodes changed his mind and opened his recruitment back up to leave OU without a 2028 commit again.
It would be a difficult task to replace Rhodes as a consensus four-star recruit and top-3 prospect at his position, but with Deland McCullough now in charge of the Sooners' running backs, they're looking to do even better with a target like Hartsfield.
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According to the 247Sports Composite, Hartsfield is the top running back in the 2028 class and No. 37 overall prospect as a consensus four-star recruit. He's also the No. 4 player in the state of Georgia out of Newton High School.
Last season as a sophomore, Hartsfield rushed for 1,302 yards while averaging an insane 12.3 yards a carry and scoring 12 touchdowns. His 4.4 speed, especially at 6-foot and 190 pounds, is unmatched on a high school football field.
All that talent has led to a lengthy list of offers for Hartsfield that also includes Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and more.
Notably off that list is Texas, which has emerged as the new favorite to land Rhodes, who's a top in-state prospect for the Longhorns.
Hartsfield visited in-state Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State last month and has taken two trips so far to both Georgia and Ohio State. Official visit season starts in just a few weeks, though, and his recruitment will really heat up then.
So far, there is no reported schedule of Hartsfield's official visits for the summer, but the Sooners desperately need to get him on campus to have a real shot at turning the loss of Rhodes into a rare upgrade based on recruiting rankings.
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