Lee's Summit running back Preston Hatfield commits to Missouri Tigers for 2026

Missouri added to its 2026 commitment class, with running back Preston Hatfield announcing his intent to join the Tigers on Saturday night.

Aside from receiving an offer from Mizzou, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back received one other offer from Missouri Western State. Hatfield is not a ranked recruit according to any major recruiting sites.

Hatfield is an in-state addition, hailing from Lee's Summit. There, he and the Lee's Summit Tigers won the Class 6 title in 2025, defeating a 13-1 Nixa squad 41-37.

In that game, Hatfield logged 457 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also got involved in the passing game, throwing for 37 yards.

He rushed for 1,662 yards and 18 touchdowns on 191 carries on the season. He threw for 520 yards and three touchdowns.

Missouri added another recruit from Lee's Summit this offseason in Karsten Fiene, a three-star wide receiver according to 247Sports.

Hatfield joins a busy running backs room, headlined by returners Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts. The Tigers also added Houston Christian transfer Xai'Shaun Edwards and Montana transfer Vaaimalae Fonoti in the portal.

Incoming freshman and three-star Maxwell Warner rounds out the group, giving Missouri plenty of options and depth.

Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian

This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Lee's Summit running back Preston Hatfield commits to Missouri Tigers for 2026."