Great Bend High School senior-to-be Cooper Ohnmacht, a 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver, has committed to playing football at Kansas State University.
Ohnmacht, a 4-Star prospect in the Great Bend Class of 2027, committed to K-State on June 7. He is the No. 1 Kansas high school football player in the Class of 2027.
Sports in Kansas named Ohnmacht as its Non-Senior Defensive Player of the Year.
“You can’t really make a wrong decision when you just follow your heart and chase your dreams,” Ohnmacht said in a signing-day interview with Rachel Hallam of KWCH TV (Channel 12) and Catch It Kansas.
“Ohnmacht is a freak athlete,” said Kansas Pregame on its Facebook page.
Ohnmacht was All-State as a receiver, safety and returner last fall and scored touchdowns as a receiver, punt returner and kick returner.
In 2025, Ohnmacht posted more than 700 receiving yards and 1,200 all-purpose yards. On defense, he made 57 tackles and had 5 interceptions (two for touchdowns).
Ohnmacht qualified for state track in triple jump, long jump, high jump and javelin last month. Injuries likely kept him from winning a third straight triple jump title, but still finished third and was fourth in long jump.
As a freshman, Ohnmacht set the school record in the vertical jump at 38.5 inches. As a sophomore he broke the school record for wide receivers with a 310-pound bench press
Ohnmacht chose K-State over offers from the University of Kansas,, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Virginia Tech, Louisville and Northwestern.
“(Cooper) heads into his senior year with his college choice made and looking to lead GBHS Panther Football to a 4A State Championship,” said Kansas Pregame. “That’s right. Great Bend makes the move down to 4A this fall where they will be among the top contenders in the West.”
Ohnmacht and the Panthers open the 2026 football season Friday, Sept. 4, at GBHS Memorial Stadium against Scott Community.
The Panthers host McPherson on Sept. 11 and then play three straight road games against Garden City Sept. 18, Buhler on Sept. 25 and at Dodge City Oct. 2.
The Panthers host Liberal on Oct. 9 and rival Hays High on Oct. 16. GBHS plays its final regular-season game Oct. 23 at Junction City.
