The college football world got its latest jolt when three-star running back Kaydin “KD” Jones, once a committed Oklahoma State Cowboy, officially pledged to the Kansas Jayhawks. What looked briefly like the possibility of a recommitment to OSU after the firing of Mike Gundy has instead become another recruiting win for KU—and a significant miss for Oklahoma State.
Jones, an Oklahoma native, was heavily courted following his decommitment. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold and his staff wasted no time making Jones a priority, and it paid off. The Jayhawks had brought Jones to campus multiple times between late 2024 and spring 2025, building a strong relationship—especially via position coach Jonathan Wallace. At one point during the spring, the buzz was that Kansas might be the team to beat for his signature. OSU managed initially to lock him in, but once he reopened his recruitment following Gundy’s exit, the Jayhawks moved aggressively and secured the commitment.
A Recruit with Elite Options
The significance of Jones’s flip becomes even clearer when considering how many offers he had. Over his recruitment, he picked up offers from 27 programs, including major names like Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Twenty-five of his offers came from Power‑4 schools. That kind of attention highlights just how valuable he was as a target—and how much OSU lost when he walked.
When Jones decommitted from OSU, many in the Cowboy fanbase clung to hope that maybe, just maybe, he would return once the dust settled in Stillwater during the coaching transition. But the KU offer and swift push seem to have dashed that notion.
What It Means for OSU’s Offense
Losing Jones is more than a recruiting notch—it’s a tangible hit to OSU’s offensive outlook. As a fallback, he would have added speed, power, depth, and flexibility to the backfield. For a team that must replace or supplement other backs in due time, his absence leaves a hole—especially in high-leverage matchups where rotation and freshness matter. The Cowboys’ ability to sustain offensive balance, manage wear on their returning backs, and avoid predictability all become stronger challenges without Jones in the mix. The Cowboys could use all the help they can on the offensive side of the ball even with Rodney Fields manning the backfield for the time being.
From KU’s side, Leipold landed a high-upside player who adds dimension to their roster. If Jones pans out, Kansas not only gets a talented back but also gains bragging rights in recruiting over a Big 12 rival.
Coach Leipold Strikes
Leipold’s recruiting acumen has always been a strength. His staff’s ability to recruit regionally gives Kansas a strategic edge when rivals like OSU are in flux. Jones’s flip underscores how much leverage the Jayhawks have when OSU is unstable.
For Oklahoma State, the flip serves as a reminder: the next staff needs to establish credibility fast, shore up relationships in the state, and rebuild confidence with recruits. Losing a high-profile in-state back to a conference foe is painful but it’s also a rallying point. How well the Cowboys respond now could signal the trajectory of the program under new leadership.