2024 four-star linebacker Josaiah Knight breaks down Mississippi State decision

Gadsden County (Fla.) High School’s Josaiah Knight had an interesting close to his recruiting process. But on Wednesday, the 2024 linebacker and On3 four-star prospect concluded his recruitment and officially signed with Mississippi State.

The 6-foot-3.5 and 235-pound Knight originally committed to Illinois last August and then signed with Illinois in December. But Knight remarked that “things didn’t fall right” with Illinois and in January, he was released from his letter of intent.

Last weekend saw Knight officially visit Mississippi State before becoming a Bulldog officially on Wednesday. Knight is rated as the nation’s No. 31 edge prospect and the state’s No. 33 prospect by On3.

Also in January, one of Knight’s teammates – Jeramiah Cloud – committed to State’s Class of 2025. And McCloud’s decision is what started the ball rolling with Knight and the Bulldogs.

“It started after I got out of my letter of intent and my teammate – Jeramiah McCloud – just committed to them,” Knight explained. “He visited there and he told the staff about me. So they started recruiting me then and here I am now.”

This past season at Gadsden County High School, Knight totaled 36 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four sacks, seven PBUs, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He talked of his role in his senior season and the improvements he made on the defensive side of the ball.

“The coaches had me playing edge the majority of the time,” Knight recalled. “That was really the only position I played. I feel like I showed more of my aggressiveness and I had a lot of big plays. I showed I could play sideline to sidelie and things of that nature.”

Regarding last weekend’s visit to Starkville, Knight enjoyed his time on campus and the welcome he received from the coaches. He also talked well of the environment in Starkville.

“That was my first visit there and it was good,” said Knight. “Everybody there had a good personality and the resources there are good. The town isn’t too big and it is kind of quiet. It is low key and that is what I like about it.”

That visit also allowed Knight to learn more about Mississippi State’s plans for him on defense. That included conversations with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler.

“It’s been good with Coach Hutzler,” added Knight. “He is very informative and he is not stuck up like some coaches are and he is easy to have a good conversation with. He sees me as an outside linebacker and he sees me as a jack linebacker.”

Knight is expected to enroll at Mississippi State in June and begin his student-athlete career in the SEC. While his recruitment had several twists and turns over the past month, he is grateful for the way things ended.

“It has definitely had its ups and downs,” Knight mentioned. “But I know God does things for a reason. Honestly, now I feel blessed. I was going to the Big 10 and now I have the opportunity to play in the SEC. So it don’t get better than that.”