Ohio State recruiting: Demetrius Knox, '14 TX 4-star OG, talks Buckeyes

After being committed to his in-state Texas Longhorns for nearly five months, 4-star offensive guard Demetrius Knox officially decommitted about two weeks ago. Since then, Knox has reopened his recruitment, and many suspect Ohio State to be the early leader. In fact, national recruiting analyst Brian Perroni of 247Sports has named Ohio State as his prediction for Knox in 247Sports' Crystal Ball feature.

According to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, Knox is rated a 95 overall, the 102nd best overall prospect in the nation, the 5th best offensive guard prospect in the nation, and the 15th best overall prospect in the talent-ladened state of Texas. There's a consensus that Knox will be a significant and star contributor at the college level, and his decommitment gave all schools who has previously been in pursuit a second chance. Knox caught me up on his decommitment details, his recruitment, his visit plans, and all things Ohio State:

Congrats on your state championship win last season. What are your team and personal goals for this upcoming season?

We just want to repeat, basically. We won it all, and it really can't get better than that. Even finishing in 2nd place isn't what we want to do, we just want to repeat. Personally, I just want to dominate. My coach and I have an ordeal worked out for this season: every other run play, he wants a pancake from me.

What is your biggest strength on the field?

Basically, how well I can move for my size. During the season, I was at 300 pounds. At 300 pounds, I was running a 5.1 40-yard dash and a 4.5-second flat shuttle.

What part of your game do you need to work on the most?

As a player, you never want to get complacent. The thing I want to work on the most is my upper body. Right now I'm at 295 pounds, I'd like to get to 320 pounds.

Let's get into your recruitment now. I know you decommitted from Texas back on April 22nd, but are you still in contact with Texas coaches?

Not at all. Actually, I spoke with Mack Brown and the coaching staff before April 22nd, and I told them that I wanted to decommit. The staff wanted it quiet, and they still wanted me on their current commit list and on the team in the end. I told them that it'd probably be best if they take my name off the list, and they finally decided to make it public on April 22nd. Mack Brown told me that he still wants me in the end and there's a spot for me on their team.

Currently, what are the main schools recruiting you?

Ohio State and UCLA are the schools recruiting me the hardest by far. Ohio State, UCLA, Florida State, and Oregon are the main schools recruiting me.

What are your top schools right now?

Overall, my top schools are Florida State, UCLA, Ohio State, Oregon, Miami, and Ole Miss.

Of your top schools, does any school currently stand out as your #1?

No.

Of your top schools, what coaching staff(s) stand out to you or have the best relationships with you?

UCLA, their coaches are great. I speak with Coach [Adrian] Klemm all the time, and he is like a father or older brother for me because he is a young guy. He tells me about the environment and the college, it all sounds great. UCLA will be my first stop this summer.

What do you like specifically about Ohio State?

Everything. I've been a big Buckeye fan ever since growing up. Huge, Huge fan. I actually have an Ohio State snuggie that my aunt gave me [laughter]. In the beginning of the recruiting process, I knew deep down that when Ohio State offered, I'd commit right away. But I've had to evaluate each school throughout the process, and it's going to be hard to pick a school in the end.

Who is the main coach from Ohio State recruiting you? How often do you speak, and what do you guys talk about?

Every coach. I speak with Coach [Ed] Warinner, Coach [Tom] Herman, Urban Meyer, and Coach [Mark] Pantoni. We talk every day. We talk about everything, and I actually just got done talking about music and stuff with Coach Pantoni. He told me that he and Coach Herman went to a Drake concert a while ago, so we were talking about that [laughter].

What college visits do you plan on making this spring/summer?

As many places as I can go. Wherever my teammates go and visit, I'll be tagging along. The schools that I am for sure visiting this summer are UCLA, Ohio State, Oregon, Florida State, and Alabama.

Will Ohio State be one of your official visits next fall?

Um yeah, yeah. 100% chance that I'll be taking an official visit there.

Watch what Demetrius would bring to the Buckeyes below:

For more Ohio State recruiting updates, be sure to follow Zach Clark (@ZClark_LGHL), Charles Doss (@CDoss_LGHL), Bret Favachio (@BretLGHL), and Ian Cuevas (@IanLGHL) on Twitter.