Kansas State got its first commitment of the 2027 class.
Nazir Pitchford, a cornerback/wide receiver from Palmetto High School, committed to the Wildcats. He is based in Palmetto, FL.
"Committed to The Cats! Family Business," Pitchford tweeted on Friday night.
Pitchford had 65 receptions for 1,096 yards and 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons. On the defensive side, he had six tackles and one pass deflection last season. The Palmetto product isn't ranked yet, but he received offers from Kansas, UCF, and Arkansas State.
He is the first Wildcat among the many soon to be in his class. In the meantime, here are the program's latest signees from the 2026 class:
Arley Morrell, Tight End
HIGH SCHOOL: PRATT HIGH, Pratt, KS
2025 STATS: 39 REC, 517 YDS, 7 TD; 48 CAR, 227 YDS, 8 TD
Jackson Hollie, Defensive End
HIGH SCHOOL: JUNCTION CITY HIGH, Junction City, KS
2025 STATS: 52 TKLS, 10 TFL, 5 SACKS, 1 INT
Blake Jay, Quarterback/Athlete
HIGH SCHOOL: MILL VALLEY, Shawnee, KS
2025 STATS: 862 YDS, 8 TD, 3 INT; 177 CAR, 1,531 YDS, 24 TD
Nash Morrison, Wide Receiver
HIGH SCHOOL: BASEHOR LINWOOD, Basehor, KS
2025 STATS: 64 REC, 1,017 YDS, 13 TD
Aidan O'Neill, Kicker
HIGH SCHOOL: CLARKSTON HIGH, Clarkston, MI
2025 STATS: 26/27 PAT, 4/7 FG
These additions will help boost a Kansas State unit that has had a relatively underwhelming portal season. Wildcats coach Collin Klein aims to reestablish the conference championship acclaim he earned as both a quarterback (2012) and an offensive coordinator (2022).
“We’re gonna be the new old school," Klein said in his opening coach press conference. "We’re gonna stay true to a value system that’s been in place for a long time. We’re gonna move our program forward and take the steps necessary to chase excellence in everything we do. We’re gonna love our players. We’re gonna be elite relationship builders that strive and scratch and claw to make sure that we know that we, myself, and our staff have their backs no matter what. And make sure to help them become the best they can possibly be, on and off the field.”
The team lost a significant chunk of its key players to the transfer portal, including wide receiver Jayce Brown, defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi, and linebacker Austin Romaine. They picked up some decent prospects, especially on defense. Still, the lack of marquee names means they will likely focus on developing the prospects to become those next star players.