MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas State Wildcats’ pursuit of a playmaking defensive back for the 2027 recruiting class will need to continue elsewhere, as Louisiana cornerback Jewellz Tapp announced his commitment to TCU on Saturday .
Tapp, a standout from New Orleans powerhouse John Curtis Christian School, chose the Horned Frogs over finalists Kansas State and Houston following an official visit to Fort Worth .
A Productive Ball Hawk Off the Board
The 6-foot, 170-pound cornerback enjoyed a productive junior season that attracted attention from programs across the country. Tapp recorded 24 tackles, five interceptions, and nine pass breakups while helping John Curtis to a 9-3 record . His reputation as a ball hawk with excellent timing and coverage instincts made him a priority target for multiple Big 12 programs .
Tapp held 19 Division I offers in total, with TCU, Kansas State, Houston, and Cincinnati among the schools hosting him for official visits before his decision .
Why Tapp Chose TCU
In comments following his commitment, Tapp pointed to the relationship he built with the TCU coaching staff as the decisive factor.
“Really the people, everyone on the staff and around treated me like one of theirs and I felt the love and how bad they wanted me there,” Tapp told Rivals .
He also expressed confidence in the experience he will find in Fort Worth: “I’m excited that I have a lot of coaches with a lot of experience throughout their playing and coaching careers that I can learn from and they can prepare me for when my time comes” .
TCU has found success recruiting the New Orleans area before, including landing John Curtis linebacker Kenny Cain in 2009 and East Jefferson cornerback Deshawn Raymond in the 2025 cycle . Tapp continues that pipeline.
Where K-State Stands in 2027 Recruiting
Despite missing on Tapp, Kansas State’s 2027 recruiting efforts under head coach Collin Klein have produced positive momentum in recent weeks. The Wildcats have secured 17 commitments in the 2027 cycle, including seven additions within the past week .
Notable K-State 2027 Commits Include:
| Player | Position | Hometown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Ohnmacht | ATH (S) | Great Bend, KS | Top-rated 2027 prospect in Kansas; 4-star |
| Brayden Harris | OT | Jackson, MO | 4-star; No. 40 OT nationally |
| Correll Buckhalter | RB | Colleyville, TX | 3-star |
Klein has emphasized a focused regional recruiting strategy since taking over the program earlier this year.
“We’re going to have a seven-hour radius,” Klein said earlier this year. “We will recruit Denver, up through Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis and down through Tulsa and Oklahoma City. That’s our loop” .
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats’ 2027 class currently ranks No. 30 nationally and third in the Big 12, according to 247Sports . Klein and his staff will continue to evaluate cornerback prospects as they look to add secondary help in this cycle.
Tapp joins a TCU 2027 class that now includes eight total commitments and ranks No. 71 nationally . He is the second cornerback to commit to the Horned Frogs in this cycle, joining Oklahoma three-star Noah Gillespie .
For Kansas State fans, the pursuit of Tap signals that the Wildcats are competing aggressively for defensive back talent across the region. While this recruitment did not end in K-State’s favor, the program’s recent recruiting surge under Klein suggests more battles and victories lie ahead on the trail.
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