Top prospect McKnight picks USC over home state's LSU

NEW ORLEANS -- Joe McKnight, a running back who was one of the most highly sought prep players in the nation, said Wednesday he will attend Southern California -- after narrowing his choices to USC, LSU and Mississippi.

McKnight also played wide receiver, kick returner and defensive back for John Curtis High School in suburban New Orleans, the reigning Class 2A state champion. Wednesday was the first day recruits could sign letters of intent.

McKnight said at a news conference that he was lured by USC's strong public relations program, the field in which he plans to major.

"It was very close. Sometimes I was saying I was going to Ole Miss, sometimes I was saying I was going to LSU, then I'd say I was going to USC. But I sat down with my mom and said the pros and cons of it and we both decided it would be the best decision to go to USC," he said.

In 14 games this season, including playoffs, he had 45 carries for 709 yards and 14 touchdowns, an average of 15.7 yards per carry. He also had 24 receptions for 735 yards and 13 scores, an average of 30.6 yards per reception.

On special teams, he returned 12 punts for 268 yards and three touchdowns, an average of 22.3 yards per return. He returned five kickoffs for a 34.6-yard average. McKnight also had one interception and 10 tackles on defense, although he is not expected to play on defense in college.

As a junior, because of Hurricane Katrina, McKnight started the 2005 season with Class 1A state champion Evangel Christian of Shreveport and completed it with Curtis.