OU no longer pick for Knighton

One of the top 2020 players in Broward County reopened his recruitment on Wednesday night.

Deerfield Beach running back Jaylan Knighton, who was the Sun Sentinel’s Broward County Class 8A-6A offensive player of the year, decommitted from the Oklahoma Sooners, announcing his decision on his Twitter account.

Knighton cited turnover in the Sooners’ program as his reason for decommitting.

“People say you choose the school not the coaches, which is not entirely true,” he wrote. “Every school has nice campuses, weight rooms, stadiums, etc., but the people are what makes these places special. That’s what I love most about OU.

“It’s been a little nervewracking that the best people I know at OU are now gone.”

Knighton, who is rated a four-star prospect in the 247Sports composite ranking, had been committed to the Sooners since April 13, 2018. He is rated the No. 111 player and No. 11 running back in the class.

The rising senior running back set the Bucks record for single-season rushing yards with 2,099 yards in 14 games. He also scored 28 touchdowns. Against Taravella, he set the Deerfield Beach single-game rushing record with 347 yards.

Knighton, who also holds offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Ohio State and more, left the door open to rejoin Oklahoma’s class.

“Make no mistake about it,” he wrote, “I still love OU, but at this time I will be decommitting to take time to establish and strengthen these new relationships.”