Cooper Ohnmacht, a 6‑foot‑3, 185‑pound safety from Great Bend, Kansas, has become the centerpiece of the 2027 recruiting class for the Kansas State Wildcats.
Rated as the eighth overall athlete in the nation and the top prospect in Kansas, Ohnmacht chose the Wildcats on Sunday, ending a recruitment that had also drawn interest from Wisconsin and Penn State.
His high school career at Great Bend featured 111 tackles, eight interceptions and a suite of honors that included All‑State First Team recognition and the Big Classes Defensive Player of the Year award.
Why the Commitment Matters
The commitment marks the sole four‑star recruit in Kansas State’s 2027 class, a rarity that underscores the program’s growing appeal on the national stage.
Both Wisconsin and Penn State have already filled their safety rooms with multiple pledges, making Ohnmacht’s decision a decisive edge for the Wildcats.
Coach Luke Fickell, now in his second season at Wisconsin, had been a prominent recruiter, while Iowa State’s Matt Campbell also appeared on the finalist list before the player settled on Manhattan.
Ohnmacht’s pledge not only bolsters the defensive backfield but also signals a recruiting momentum that could attract additional talent to the program.