MANHATTAN, Kan. The Kansas State Wildcats continued their impressive run on the recruiting trail Thursday, landing a commitment from three-star defensive lineman Joseph Graves of IMG Academy .
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound prospect chose Kansas State over fellow finalists NC State, Kansas, and Missouri, handing the Wildcats a significant recruiting victory over multiple Power Four programs . Graves held 19 Power Four offers during his recruitment, with the Wildcats and Wolfpack emerging as his final two choices .
A Productive Defensive Force
Graves’ production on the field has drawn attention from scouts nationwide. As a sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he earned Oklahoma 5A-3 District Defensive Player of the Year honors after an exceptional campaign . His stat line from that season was eye-popping: 82 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, 60 quarterback hurries, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries . He helped lead the Hornets to a 9-3 record, a district championship, and a state quarterfinal appearance a remarkable turnaround from the program’s 2-8 finish the previous year .
He transferred to IMG Academy in Florida ahead of his junior season, where he continued to develop against elite competition . Graves is currently rated as the No. 87 overall prospect in the 2027 class and ranks among the top 100 defensive linemen nationally at No. 97 .
A Family Connection
Graves’ commitment was announced at a ceremony at his high school, but it came with a memorable backstory. During his official visit to Kansas State in late May, a video of his mother wearing a Wildcats helmet and pads tackling him at midfield inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium went viral, amassing nearly 4 million views on social media and drawing attention from ESPN .
“I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect her to hit me that hard,” Graves said of the moment .
Graves noted that the visit made his decision clear, explaining that Manhattan “felt like home” during his announcement ceremony . He also expressed confidence in his future role with the Wildcats, telling Rivals that “I’m a young guy who is going to come in and play early and win” .
Building the Trenches
Graves becomes the fifth defensive line commitment in Kansas State’s 2027 class, further bolstering a group of front-seven talent . Notably, he will be reunited with fellow defensive tackle commit Dawayne Jones, a teammate from his youth football days in Tulsa .
Defensive tackles coach Jordan Dove has been instrumental in this recruiting surge, securing commitments from Graves, Jones, and Anitoni Tahi despite stiff Power Four competition .
Recruiting Class Momentum
Graves is the 24th commitment in the Wildcats’ 2027 recruiting class, which has been building significant momentum under first-year head coach Collin Klein . The class currently ranks No. 28 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 according to 247Sports, while Rivals has it at No. 38 nationally and No. 3 in the conference .
Klein has emphasized recruiting within a “seven-hour radius” of Manhattan, targeting areas including Denver, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City . Graves, though now at IMG Academy, is a Tulsa native who fits that regional footprint .
The Wildcats have been particularly active of late, adding six prospects in the last six days alone . Graves’ pledge adds another nationally recognized talent to the class and strengthens Kansas State’s recruiting presence in Florida .
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