LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Running back Joe McKnight Wednesday made a verbal commitment to attend and play football for the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
A number of recruiting publications have tabbed the 6-foot, 190-pound River Ridge, La., native the nation's No. 1 high school prospect.
He gives the Trojans a major all-purpose threat similar to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush two years ago.
Last season at John Curtis Christian High School in River Ridge, he rushed for 502 yards and nine touchdowns on just 36 carries as a running back, but added five touchdowns on 20 pass receptions.
He also scored once on a kickoff return and four times returning punts, while averaging 29 yards per punt return.
McKnight's commitment gives the Pac-10 school three of the top 10 recruits as listed in the recruiting publication Scouts Inc.
Those players already committed are 6-foot, 215-pound running back Marc Tyler of Westlake Village, Calif., and quarterback Broderick Green of Little Rock, Ark.
