TJ Lewis, a three-star running back from Bolingbrook, Illinois, announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Wednesday, becoming the tenth recruit to pledge to the Cowboys for the Class of 2027. The decision came after a recruitment battle that pitted the Cowboys against Illinois, UConn, Indiana and Iowa State, all of which had pursued the Illinois standout.
The Coaching Factor
Running back coach Patrick Cobbs played a pivotal role in the recruitment, leveraging his relationship with Lewis and his family to steer the player toward Stillwater. Cobbs’ outreach, combined with visits to UConn earlier this month, helped seal a deal that had seemed uncertain just weeks ago.
Lewis capped his high school career with a monster season, rushing for 1,784 yards and 21 touchdowns, a performance that earned him the No. 74 ranking among national running backs and the 32nd spot in Illinois according to 247Sports. His pledge adds a potent weapon to a backfield that has been searching for stability.
The commitment arrives as Oklahoma State looks to rebound from a 1-11 record in 2025, a season that triggered the firing of longtime head coach Mike Gundy and the hiring of Eric Morris. Morris, who inherits a program in transition, now has a core group of eight other pledges that could shape the roster for the next five years under the NCAA’s new eligibility framework.
All of the current pledges are non-binding, with the earliest signing window opening in December, but the early momentum suggests the Cowboys could secure a strong class that may extend five years of college participation under the recent rule change. The early signing period will allow the staff to lock in talent like Lewis, safety Chayce Davis, and offensive linemen Jake Baker and Sonny Mullen, among others.