Interview: 4-Star 2021 Louisiana ATH Theodore Knox Talks LSU and Texas A&M Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Being a team-first player among the high school ranks doesn’t typically show up in the stat sheet but may lend credence to being a true athlete. When injuries started popping up on the Southern University Lab roster during the 2018 season, Class of 2021 receiver Theodore Knox was there for the staff to make plays. He was all over the field lining up at corner and on special teams, especially as a return specialist, earning four-star recruiting status. The work for Knox was not in vain seeing the Kittens bounce opposing Louisiana squads for a 12-2 season. The play of the lightening quick 5-11, 175-pound, standout with 4.38 speed (Tulane) has been rewarded with six offers and growing recruiting interest.

In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with Knox getting insight on his sophomore season and weekend trip to Texas A&M.

Interview

Theodore, what was the 2018 season like for you?

“It was pretty good. We struggled a little on offense, not the best season but I made the best of it. I played as hard as I could, and I played defense and I ran kickoffs back. I played a lot of special teams and a lot of defense, because we had injuries. My coaches refer to me as an athlete. I wish my offensive season was better, and I had more touches. I looking for next season to be even better.”

How would you grade your 2018 season overall?

“I’d grade myself high, on the field and as a good team player – it’d be on the high end.”

Which areas of your game showed the most improvement on offense?

“I worked a lot on my routes and getting into the right spot, not overrunning or running short. Running a slant against a Cover 2, if the corner backs off and the linebacker sits, I would find that gap. I worked a lot on finding the hole.”

You had some nice blocks in there as well.

“Yes. My blocking improved. My crack-backs, I was active. I had a good amount of tackles. I caught a lot of balls after practice and worked hard to get where we got. My hands improved a lot. My game improved a lot last season.”

You have a lot of speed, how fast are you?

“Last summer, at a Tulane camp, I ran a 4.38. During my last track season, my 100 was 10.7. My 200 is a 22-flat.”

Wow. That’s moving.

“Thank you.”

This offseason, what are you focused on improving upon before your junior season?

“I want to get even better with my route running, get stronger hands, gain weight, and improve my speed. I am playing 7v7 with the Bootleggers, that will help. Going into my junior year, I want to be bigger, stronger, faster, and energetic ready to play.”

Between playing receiver and corner, which do you like best?

“I love the offensive side of the ball. I love playing receiver.”

Why do you love it?

“I love it because I like the ball in my hands. I want the ball. When I play defense, it is more aggressive action. On offense, I want to get saucy. I want to get nasty with the routes and go up and go get it.”

Are you going to any camps and/or combines this offseason?

“I missed the US Army All-American, I was so upset I missed it. But, I will be at the Adidas Three-Stripe in March and Nike in March. I am also attending some padded camps this offseason.”

Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“I am receiving interest from Texas A&M, LSU, Memphis, and Colorado State.”

Boston College came up to school,

How many offers do you have now?

“I have six offers.”

Which programs were the last couple to offer you?

“Houston was the last one, about two weeks ago, Arizona State, and Tennessee were the last to offer. I think the order of teams to offer was ULL (Louisiana), Southern Louisiana, SMU, Tennessee, ASU, and Houston.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes. I just came off one at Texas A&M, I visited SMU after a camp – that was the same day they offered, Southern, and I went to a lot of LSU games last season.”

How did the A&M visit go?

“I enjoyed it a lot. I met Coach (Jimbo) Fisher (head coach). We talked a little. I loved it up there. That was my first time there, loved it. I talked to Kellen Mond (starting quarterback), Zach Calzada (2019), and some of the other guys on the team. There were some cool people up there.”

Being in your backyard, how have the LSU visits gone overall?

“LSU is like home. It is always good to go to LSU. I talk to Coach Mickey (Joseph) all the time. We have a good relationship. It is great going up there.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“Tulane, one of the coaches wants me up there for a weekend, and I plan on visiting Memphis.”

Being a highly rated recruit can carry a lot of assumptions by others. What are some of the misnomers you come across where people may think about you mistakenly?

“People think I am nonchalant and a pretty boy without getting to know me. I am a cool guy if you take the time to talk to me. I think the way they look at me is because I am being recruited by some very good schools.”

As that highly rated recruit, was there anything that caught your attention today with all of the signings in the 2019 class?

“I was excited that (4-star WR) Devonta Lee went to LSU. I congratulated my teammates for the schools they choose. I saw some flips, if that is the play for them, that is their play. It was an interesting day.”

Theodore, I appreciate your time today and wish you luck at the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Knox family; Theodore Knox at Texas A&M (Feb. 2019)