2020 RB Knighton says Clemson is leader

Deerfield Beach’s Jaylan Knighton is one of the top running backs in the 2020 class, and he may end up with the reigning national champions.

The rising senior named Clemson as his current top school at the Under Armour camp at North Broward Prep on Sunday.

“That’s my leader,” he said after visiting South Carolina and Clemson on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, respectively. “I fit in their offense perfectly. The bond is a big brotherhood, the love they show me — it’s just right for me.”

Knighton said Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Penn State are also recruiting him hard.

Knighton, the Sun Sentinel’s Broward County Class 8A-6A offensive player of the year, had been committed to the Oklahoma Sooners for about nine months before decommitting in January.

“Me and my parents and coaches, we had thought about it and we had to reevaluate things, and I just had a lot of schools showing me love,” Knighton said. “I just had to take the time out to decommit, call coach (Lincoln) Riley and tell him. It was a hard decision because it’s the decision I made; I’m stuck with it for life. I’ve got to take it smart.”

Knighton didn’t rule out re-committing to Oklahoma, either.

“It can happen,” Knighton said. “I could end up back there. It’s in my top five, and I love Oklahoma.”

The Deerfield Beach running back is currently rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports’ composite ranking, which also lists him as the No. 111 player and No. 11 running back in the 2020 class.

Knighton rushed for 2,099 yards in 14 games as a junior while scoring 28 rushing touchdowns.