The Oklahoma State Cowboys have secured a significant addition to their roster with the commitment of TJ Lewis, a three-star running back from Bolingbrook, Illinois. Lewis, who becomes the Cowboys' first running back commitment for the Class of 2027, also marks the program's 10th commitment in this recruiting cycle.
Lewis joins a growing list of recruits, following in the footsteps of linebacker Israel Hammons from Choctaw, Oklahoma, who committed just last week. Ranked as the 74th running back nationally and the 32nd overall recruit in Illinois according to 247Sports, Lewis brings impressive credentials to the table. Last season, he racked up 1,784 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a dynamic offensive weapon.
The Cowboys managed to secure Lewis' commitment over several other programs, including Illinois, UConn, Indiana, and Iowa State. Interestingly, Lewis had not officially visited Oklahoma State during the spring or summer, with his only recorded visits being to Illinois and UConn earlier this month. With 16 offers from power conference schools, his decision to join the Cowboys is a testament to the recruiting prowess of running back coach Patrick Cobbs, who likely played a crucial role in bringing Lewis to Stillwater.
Lewis will have the opportunity to ease into his new environment, thanks in part to a recent NCAA rule change that allows players five years to complete their college sports eligibility. Additionally, with the presence of Caleb Hawkins, a seasoned running back, Lewis can develop at his own pace while learning from an experienced teammate.
As Lewis watches from Illinois, the Cowboys are in a rebuilding phase following a challenging 1-11 season in 2025, which led to the departure of longtime coach Mike Gundy and the hiring of Eric Morris. The commitment of Lewis, along with Hammons and other recruits, signals a fresh start and a hopeful future for the Cowboys.
In addition to Lewis and Hammons, the Cowboys have secured commitments from several other promising players. On the defensive side, safeties Chayce Davis from Euless (Texas) Trinity High School and Bryson Brown from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, have pledged their allegiance. Offensively, the Cowboys have bolstered their line with commitments from Jake Baker of Ensworth High School in Nashville, Tennessee, and Sonny Mullen of Troy, Texas.
The skill positions are also looking promising with commitments from wide receivers Cooper Hooker of Pryor (Quapaw, Oklahoma) High School and Ake O’Neal of Argyle, Texas. Tight end Talan Scott from Queen City, Arizona, rounds out the list of offensive recruits.
While these commitments are currently non-binding, the Cowboys are building a promising foundation as they look forward to the December signing period.
In Other News...
Eric Morris Sent A Clear Message With Oklahoma States Media Days Group
The Big 12s release of its expected attendees for football media days offered a small but telling glimpse into how Eric Morris wants to present Oklahoma State heading into the summer spotlight. When the league gathers July 7 and 8 in Frisco, Texas, the Cowboys will be fronted by Morris and a four-man group that includes quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins, defensive end Jaleel Johnson and linebacker Ethan Wesloski, a mix that points to offense, defense and leadership all getting some airtime.
There is also a clear thread running through the group. Three of those four players were with Morris last season at North Texas, while Johnson is the lone holdover from Stillwater, a setup that makes the Cowboys delegation feel less like a random sampling and more like a statement about continuity and familiarity. The event will be shown live on ESPNU and ESPN2, so the first public look at Morris version of Oklahoma State should come with plenty of attention attached. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Lutzs Rebuilt Roster Comes With One Huge NCAA Catch
Steve Lutzs offseason rebuild at Oklahoma State is already carrying an extra layer of roster management, because the NCAAs changing eligibility landscape is arriving right alongside it. The Cowboys have pieced together a new recruiting and transfer class for 2026-27, but the bigger question now is how the sports new 5-for-5 framework will sort out the players already in the program and the newcomers who are trying to fit into it.
The rule, which is set to remove most redshirts and give athletes five years to play five seasons, will begin affecting current players starting in fall 2027, with eligibility reviews coming sooner for some cases. For Oklahoma State, that means a few players could wind up with more college basketball ahead of them, while others are still waiting on NCAA decisions that could change how the roster looks long before the first ball is tipped. [Read more 🡒]
Every 2026 Opponent Is A Reminder Of Oklahoma State's Reset
The reset in Stillwater has been obvious since Eric Morris arrived after Mike Gundys firing, and so has the size of the job in front of him. Morris brought several former North Texas players with him, but the larger challenge is turning around a program that has gone 4-20 over the past two seasons and now has a 2026 schedule loaded with reminders of how far the Cowboys have fallen.
Recent matchups against those opponents tell the story well enough. Oklahoma State was beaten at West Virginia and by UCF in its last meeting, and it also endured lopsided losses at Colorado, Iowa State and Oregon while the league slide kept growing. Even the home stretch offered little relief, which is why every date on the 2026 slate feels less like a fresh start than another test of whether Morris can get the Cowboys pointed back in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]