3-star Texas athlete Jalen Knox commits to Missouri

Three-star Texas all-purpose back Jalen Knox has committed to the Missouri Tigers.

Knox could bring a dynamic blend of size, speed and versatility to Mizzou’s offense. He could end up at either running back or slot receiver.

Knox has an offer list featuring Baylor, Boise State, Wisconsin and Colorado State. Mizzou offered last September. At 6’0 and 185 pounds, he had 73 carries for 481 yards and six touchdowns, plus 14 catches for 203 yards and one touchdown, for 5A’s Mansfield Timberview High last fall.

Knox has become part of Missouri’s continuing effort to re-establish its roots in Texas high school recruiting. Cornell Ford is listed as his lead recruiter on Rivals, but it appears Joe Jon Finley, the former Baylor assistant and current Mizzou tight ends coach, was his guide around Columbia during his visit in April.

@JalenKnox9_

For Knox’s visit to Missouri back in April, he told Rivals Analyst Woody Wommack, “They want to play me as an athlete and move me around and do whatever they can to get the ball in my hands. They have the best offensive in the SEC numbers-wise and they like to throw the ball so that’s something that appeals to me as a wide receiver.”

Knox participated in Nike’s The Opening Regional in Dallas, where he checked in at 5’11 1/2 and 185 pounds, with a 4.51 40-yard dash, a 4.26 shuttle, a 34.0 powerball and a 34.1” vertical jump.

Check out Knox’s Highlights:

Jalen Knox HUDL

Knox appeared to play a variety of roles on offense as a junior for his high school team, lining up as a wideout, a slot receiver and frequently in the backfield as part of a three-back power run scheme.

When lined up in the backfield, Knox is primarily a threat to the outside. He’s best suited to make plays in space, where his footwork and field vision allow him to do the most damage. He’s not really an inside runner, running a bit high, but he is a willing blocker on the outside and displayed good hands on a few catches.

This leads me to think he’s initially going to carve out playing time with jet-sweeps, slant/go routes and motion into the backfield in a slot-back or “X-factor” role. He doesn’t appear to have truly elite speed or strength, but he’s a dynamic football player playing many positions to help his high school team. I think he’ll be a solid fit in Josh Heupel’s offense, potentially playing a style similar to that of Dimetrios Mason.

2018 Recruiting Class

Jalen Knox joins Alabama quarterback James Foster in the 2018 class and is the Tigers’ second receiver commitment, joining JUCO transfer and unofficial re-commitment Harry Ballard, who is currently attending Jones County Junior College in Mississippi. Missouri is still pursuing St. Louis standout receiver Kamryn Babb after missing out on his teammate Cameron Brown, who chose Nebraska.

Welcome to the Zou, Jalen!

@Jalenknox9_