Crystal Lake Central defensive lineman Romeo McKnight was an unknown prospect on the recruiting trail just six weeks ago, but he was never a secret for Tigers head coach Jon McLaughlin.
“I think part of it went from that he was an unknown and had something to prove and then went to the Nike Camp and showed a lot of people what he could do,” McLaughlin said. “He went against a lot of good four-star and five-star offensive lineman and started to make a name for himself. People started asking who he was. Then the next day Toledo came in and offered him and then a few other MAC schools came in.”
After McKnight’s explosion onto the recruiting scene at The Opening regional in early May, he picked up ten offers and gave his oral commitment to Iowa Monday at a press conference at his school.
“I am excited. I am ready to get better and keep lifting and just get ready for my senior year,” McKnight said.
For McKnight, he knew Iowa offered him something more than everywhere else the moment he stepped on campus.
“Two days after they offered me I visited, and when I went on my visit I kind of knew that Iowa was special. So, I knew kind of since the first visit but I wanted to be patient since the recruiting process was still going. But even now, I still feel like Iowa is the best place for me,” McKnight said.
The 6-4, 230-pound prospect went back to visit the Hawkeyes two more times, then announced his commitment. McKnight joins Niles North running back Barrington Wade and Phillips linebacker Amani Jones in the Class of 2016 for the Hawkeyes.