Top schools list coming ahead of August commitment for Florida DE Josiah Knight
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The window on recruiting Gadsden County (Tallahassee, Fla.) weakside defensive end Josaiah “JoJo” Knight is coming to an end. The Class of 2024 talent is preparing to release a list of favorites at the end of July with a verbal commitment to follow on Aug. 18 – the race is on to land Knight.
Twenty-nine teams have handed over scholarship opportunities to Knight with a tight list of teams blowing up Knights’ phone, “Missouri, Cincinnati, Illinois, Georgia Tech, South Florida, Troy, and Tulane.”
An official visit to Illinois was taken on June 23.
“It went pretty well, it was more than I expected,” Knight said. “The city and coaches, everything was pretty good. We went out to eat, we went to a famous breakfast spot in town, toured the facilities, and played paint ball. You know me, I have to workout wherever I go. My cousin and I got a workout in. We chilled after that.”
Asked what impressed him during his time with the Illini, Knight replied, “Their facilities and all the resources there to help you be developed. They have coach Tank (Tenarius Wright) as the strength and conditioning coach; he was at Arkansas. They have coaches with NFL experience; they have a lot of resources.”
Josiah Knight on official visit with Georgia Tech.
On June 16, it was the Yellow Jackets’ chance to impress on an official.
“It went pretty well,” Knight shared. “The city was top tier. The places we went to eat were good spots. There are good things to do in the city. We went over my film. They gave me pointers on things I need to work on instead of telling me stuff I am already good at; they were helping me get better.”
Asked what impressed Knight during his official with Georgia Tech, he replied, “The people who I would be coached by like coach Marco Coleman (DL). He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year (NFL). Coach (Brent) Key, he has been everywhere; at Alabama and a bunch of top programs, and in the league. Coach (Anderew) Thacker (DC), he is a personality.”
Before Knight commits, there are no other official stops, but there are two unofficial trips planned.
“I have two unofficial visits coming up to Missouri and Cincinnati,” Knight stated.
Knight shared why he is excited to hang with the Tigers in Columbia.
“I am most definitely excited to visit Missouri,” Knight said. “The SEC, and I am ready to see what they have to offer.”
In early May, Knight visited the Bearcats announcing his verbal commitment on May 8. On May 30, Knight decommitted before taking his paid for trips to Illinois and Georgia Tech. Knight previewed his return to Cincinnati.
“It will be my second time going up there,” Knight shared. “I am stoked. The last time, I loved the city for real; I did love that city. I am excited to see the new stuff, they are a Nike team now; I want to see the differences.”
Fans will get an update on Knights’ recruitment very soon.
“I’m going to come out with a top seven around July 28 and I will be committing on Aug. 18,” Knight stated.