Kansas State is officially on the board for its 2027 recruiting class, and they’re kicking things off with a versatile playmaker out of the Sunshine State.
Nazir Pitchford, a 6-foot-1 athlete from Palmetto, Florida, announced his commitment to the Wildcats on February 6. A two-way standout, Pitchford chose K-State over offers from UCF, Kansas, and several Group of 5 programs - a solid early win for Collin Klein and his staff as they begin shaping their first full recruiting class.
While the major recruiting services haven’t assigned Pitchford a ranking yet, his game film and production speak volumes. Depending on the outlet, he’s listed as either a wide receiver or an athlete, but the commitment graphic he shared had him pegged as a cornerback - a sign that K-State may see his future on the defensive side of the ball. That kind of positional flexibility is gold in today’s game, especially when you’re building depth and looking for high-upside talent.
Pitchford’s numbers back up the intrigue. As a junior in 2025, he appeared in seven games, hauling in 22 receptions for 344 yards and seven touchdowns.
That followed a strong sophomore campaign in 2024, where he posted 43 catches for 752 yards and nine scores across 10 games. He also earned honorable mention all-area honors from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune after the 2025 season - not a small feat in a football-rich region like Florida.
The fact that he’s producing on both sides of the ball and still flying under the radar in the rankings makes him a classic early-evaluation target. For a program like Kansas State - one that’s built its identity on player development and finding diamonds in the rough - Pitchford fits the mold. He’s long, athletic, and has already shown he can make plays in a variety of roles.
There’s still a long road ahead. Early signing day for the 2027 class won’t roll around until December, and a lot can change between now and then. But for now, Pitchford becomes the first player to commit to Klein’s 2027 class - a foundational piece with the kind of versatility and upside that could pay dividends down the line.
This is the kind of early addition that sets the tone - not just for the class, but for how this new staff wants to recruit: smart, strategic, and not afraid to go after guys before the rankings catch up.