Class of 2026 running back Kaydin Jones has officially decommitted from Oklahoma State in the wake of Mike Gundy’s firing, ending a pledge that had held since late March.
The 6-foot, 185-pound back from powerhouse Jenks High School announced his decision Tuesday, just minutes after the Cowboys parted ways with their longtime head coach following a rocky start to the season. For Oklahoma State, the timing is as brutal as the optics. Jones was not only a key piece of the Cowboys’ early 2026 recruiting class but also one of the highest-rated in-state prospects on their board.
Jones, rated a three-star by both On3 and 247Sports, had picked Oklahoma State over offers from Kansas, Louisville, Vanderbilt, and several others. He’s been a known name in Oklahoma high school football circles since his sophomore year, racking up nearly 4,000 all-purpose yards and close to 40 touchdowns with a blend of speed, vision, and pass-catching ability. A multi-sport athlete with track speed and a strong lower-body frame, Jones had the look of a future Big 12 contributor with early-impact potential. His decommitment immediately reopens a recruitment that was expected to be relatively quiet heading into next summer.
The decision underscores the recruiting fallout already taking shape in Stillwater following the end of the Gundy era. While Jones didn’t reference the coaching change directly in his statement, the timing leaves little doubt that instability played a central role. That’s often the case when programs move on from coaches with deep recruiting ties, especially to local pipelines like Jenks. With Gundy out and no permanent replacement named, prospects like Jones are likely to look elsewhere until Oklahoma State can provide clarity on what comes next.
For the Cowboys, this is more than just a loss on paper. Jones had become a focal point of the 2026 class and a symbol of Oklahoma State’s ability to secure top in-state skill talent. Now, his departure sends a message to other recruits watching the situation unfold. Until the next staff can reestablish relationships and provide clear direction, further movement may follow.
Meanwhile, Jones returns to the open market as one of the most electric running backs in the region. With his recruitment wide open again, expect Power Four programs across the Big 12 and SEC to re-engage quickly.
