Missouri football adds in-state RB commit who had massive state title game
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Missouri football has added an in-state running back recruit who rushed the length of the football field four times over in a state title win this past December.
Lee’s Summit High prospect and unranked running back Preston Hatfield announced Saturday evening that he has committed to Mizzou in the Class of 2026. In the MSHSAA Class 6 title game, as Lee’s Summit beat Nixa 41-37 for the championship, Hatfield rushed for a record-breaking 457 yards and four touchdowns.
Hatfield had 494 yards of total offense in that game, as he also completed 5-of-6 passes for 37 yards. That broke the MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl all-purpose-yards record, which previously was held by Ezekiel Elliott for John Burroughs High in 2012.
Mizzou’s recruiting post-early signing day in December has all been inside its state borders. The Tigers have now added four players — three of whom are from the Kansas City area — from the Show-Me State in January to their Class of 2026.
The Tigers have also secured a commitment from three-star wide receiver Karsten Fiene, who was Hatfield’s teammate at Lee’s Summit.
Three-star cornerback Treshundon Neal committed to Mizzou out of Liberty North, and three-star Cardinal Ritter College defensive lineman Jocques Felix, a former Iowa State commitment, also is now expected to sign with Mizzou.
Regular signing day for college football, now mostly an afterthought due to the rise in popularity of the early signing period, is Feb. 4. The Tigers will be able to officially sign their four committed recruits on that date.
Mizzou already signed 19 players in its Class of 2026 on early signing day in December. Among that group, 15 players have arrived on campus as early-enrollees.
Missouri has its top of the order settled at running back for the 2026 season.
Near-unanimous All-American Ahmad Hardy has re-signed and will be one of the nation’s top returning running backs next season. The Tigers also managed to bring back Jamal Roberts, who was an excellent No. 2 option last season, for his senior season.
Missouri added two running backs out of the transfer portal, both from the FCS level. Xai’Shaun Edwards signed with the Tigers from Houston Christian, and Malae Fonoti joined the squad from Montana.
Mizzou has one other running back in its Class of 2026: Three-star Chicago product Maxwell Warner.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football adds 2026 commit who owns MSHSAA rushing record
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