Top Recruit Ricky Knight Discusses Official Visits, Cristobal & Norvell
For the Miami Hurricanes 2024 recruiting class to be a success, the Canes will need top cornerback recruits like Ricky Knight III to be added to the roster.
For anyone that’s seen Knight play in person or watched his film, it’s no surprise that programs from far and wide like Miami, Florida State, UCF, Texas A&M, Louisville, Wisconsin, Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Wake Forest have offered among others.
Congratulations to today’s Defensive Back MVP at @RivalsCamp Miami, #Rivals250 four-star Ricky Knight III
— Rivals (@Rivals) March 26, 2023
Miami, USF, UCF, FSU in the mix@WilsonFootball | @EvoShield | @TeamVKTRY | @ncsa | @RWrightRivals | @RivalsFriedman | @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/2fZ7HfTbsf
The talented 6-foot-1 and 170-pound cornerback from North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School took the time to discuss his recruitment with All Hurricanes, breaking down his official visits first.
“June 2 through the 4th, I’ll be at Penn State, June 9th through the 11th, I’ll be at Illinois, June 15th through the 17th, I’ll be at FSU, and June 23rd through the 25th I’ll be at Miami,” Knight said.
The NCAA now allows for unlimited official visits. Knight gave his taken on that situation next.
“So the rule, I understand it. Maybe a lot of people might overuse it, but I dont’ plan to overuse it. Unless I feel like there’s a school that comes in later and really has my best interest and I’m really interested in them, then I will take another (official) visit. I plan to commit in the summer.
Asked to clarify his final point above, Knight said the following about making his college decision.
“August, somewhere around there. I’ll definitely be committed before school starts.”
Further, Knight talked about how he’s approaching the recruiting process.
“I’ve told everybody, I don’t plan to be one of those guys that makes a top five or top 10. I’m going to evaluate everybody, because any school that’s interested in me, I’m going to show the same interest in you.”
Going past the schools themselves, Knight was asked to define Miami head coach Mario Cristobal’s personality and what he’s like.
“I mean, honestly, he looks like a serious guy,” Knight began with a smile. “When you get to know him a little bit more, he’s really chill. He texts me like every day.”
“He’s a cool guy once you get to know him. He looks serious though. Before I knew him, I thought he was the most serious guy ever, but in reality he’s really funny.”
Cristobal also likes to let Knight know about his family, and that’s where some true insight came to light.
“He always sends me videos of his son playing football. You know, I always hype it up because it’s football! Who doesn’t want to see somebody playing football?
“His son plays quarterback, receiver, running back…he’s a baller.”
One of the other prime contenders for Knight would be the Seminoles. Knight also broke down what head coach Mike Norvell was like.
“Mike Norvell? The most energetic guy that you’ll be around. Like, the most energetic guy. Every time they break out and start practice, he races the defensive line.
“They go from wherever they started to the back of the end zone. He raced them the whole field. He’s always like jumping around. Every time I see him, he starts screaming, ‘Oh yeah!’ Him and coach (Ryan) Bartow.
“Norvell’s energy is always through the roof. He’s always moving; he’s never trying to sit in one place.”
Miami and FSU have a history on the field, as well in recruiting. Knight confirmed what was already pretty obvious about each program.
“Those are two schools that I’m very interested in. I’m looking at both of them.”
There are other programs that have obviously made an impact with Knight, starting with Illinois. The recent success from Illini defensive backs being drafted into the NFL certainly caught Knight’s attention.
Of course there was No. 5 overall pick in cornerback Devon Witherspoon that the Seattle Seahawks selected, but Knight was impressed by him and more.
“I believe they actually had three defensive backs drafted. Witherspoon just was the first defensive back off the board, so that just shows that the Illinois coaches know what they’re doing.”
“They (Illinois coaches) were able to take that player and build him up to a first round, fifth pick overall. (Defensive backs) coach (Antonio) Fenelus is a very cool guy. He’s always hitting me up. We’re always having conversations.
“So I felt it was right to give Illinois a chance. They have a true shot. That’s why I’m taking an official visit with them.”
The last school that Knight discussed was Penn State. They have been doing well recruiting in Florida, and Knight gave his take about the relationship he’s built with a member of the Nittany Lions staff.
“Coach (Ja’Juan) Seider, he’s a guy from The Crib. He understands everything that we work for. He understands all of that. I truly appreciate a big school like that giving me a shot.
“They play in front of like 100,000 people. That’s crazy like, imagine it’s third down, you gotta get a big stop, and the quarterback can’t even hear, and you can’t hear…
“So it’s definitely a school that I’m very interested in. It’s a place I could see myself playing. Coach Seider has done a great job with what he’s been doing.”
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.