Joe McKnight
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| Joe McKnight | |
|---|---|
| College | Southern California |
| Conference | Pac 10 |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | TB |
| Class | Freshman |
| Career | 2007 – present |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (89 kg) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | 1988 Louisiana |
| High School | John Curtis Christian High School, River Ridge, Louisiana |
| Awards | |
| 2007 Parade co-Player of the Year | |
Joe McKnight (born 1988 in Louisiana) is an American football tailback for the USC Trojans.
Contents |
[edit] High school career
McKnight is currently a senior at John Curtis Christian High School in River Ridge, Louisiana, USA. He has committed to play for USC.[1]
McKnight is the latest and arguably the most talented of a line of running back prospects out of John Curtis Christian HS – among them Reggie Dupard, Chris Howard and Jonathan Wells. Most recruiting analysts rank him among the top 2 of the 2007 high school class (next to quarterback Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian High School).[2] McKnight rushed for 719 yards on 45 carries, scoring 14 touchdowns, and received 24 catches for 735 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. He was instrumental in John Curtis Christian's 14-0 season. Analysts notice his elusiveness, impressive speed (4.4 in 40-yard dash) as well as his incomparable instincts and field vision but some say he is somewhat undersized, at 193 pounds, for the college game. McKnight has been called “the most exciting prospect the state of Louisiana has produced since Kevin Faulk” by recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg.[3]
On January 28, 2007, McKnight was named co-Player of the Year by Parade, sharing the honor with Clausen.[4] LSU coach Les Miles visited McKnight on February 1, 2007, the last possible date before National Signing Day, in order to ensure McKnight's commitment to the LSU.[5] However, on February 7 McKnight committed to the University of Southern California.[1]
[edit] Recruiting Controversy
McKnight told reporters on National Signing Day that he spoke to USC running back Reggie Bush before he chose USC over favored Louisiana State University. On February 9, the Los Angeles Times reported that USC officials were investigating whether an NCAA recruiting violation occurred during the Trojans' pursuit of the Louisiana prep star. At issue is whether McKnight listened to a phone call between head coach Pete Carroll and and former USC running back Reggie Bush.[6] NCAA rules state that alumni cannot speak to players and attempt to persuade them to join their former school.
Joe McKnight and his high school coach, J.T. Curtis, would both later admit that McKnight misspoke during the news conference and that McKnight has never actually met or spoken to Bush.[7] Reggie Bush and Pete Carroll have also both denied a conference call ever took place. Carroll blamed the controversy surrounding McKnight on LSU fans who were unhappy that McKnight would choose to leave the state of Louisiana and attend USC.[8]
[edit] College career
McKnight intends to begin college at the University of Southern California in 2007. He was awarded with the inaugural “Frank Gifford Endowed Football Scholarship”, which is given out annually by the USC athletic department to an incoming freshman running back, quarterback or wide receiver who best emulates Gifford's life, success and spirit.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Highly rated RB McKnight picks USC
- ^ Not your Average Joe
- ^ National signing day brings drama
- ^ McKnight splits top honor on Parade list
- ^ LSU's Miles to visit McKnight tonight
- ^ USC looks into potential recruiting violation
- ^ USC may have broken rules recruiting McKnight
- ^ Carroll blames LSU fans for recruiting flap
- ^ Frank Gifford Endowed Football Scholarship Established At USC
