Knapp Commits to Army
Moments after teammate and four-star wide receiver Tahj Capehart announced his pledge to the Virginia Tech Hokies, Bishop Sullivan Class of 2017 offensive lineman Noah Knapp revealed his decision to play his College Football at Army while appearing on Saturday's High School Sports Talk Presented by VirginiaPreps.com on ESPN Radio 94.1.
"It's the #1 public school in the nation. I'm getting the best of both worlds. I'm getting to play Division I football and a great education. I don't think it gets much better than that," Knapp said during the program.
"It has been a dream of mine since I was little to play at the next level. I just couldn't pass up this great opportunity."
Elon and Marshall were among some of the other schools that recruited the 6-foot-tall, 270-pound offensive guard.
Knapp was a Second Team All-State selection for Ocean Lakes in 2015 who also was named First Team All-Coastal Conference 1 and Second Team All-Tidewater.
"We have a great offensive line in Coach Hogg (Jonathan Hoggard). He's taught me everything I know. I owe a lot of my success to him," Knapp added.
"I think we have a good group of linemen this year. I think it'll be fun to see us all come together from our different schools and it's going to be exciting."
In the classroom, Knapp maintains a 3.7 GPA while taking honors courses. He's undecided on what he wants to major in at the next level.
"Noah Knapp is one of the best all-around players that I've had a chance to coach. I remember when he was playing for the Dolphins all the way back in flag league and my son (C.J. Scott) was playing for the Redskins. You had these two guys that would eventually and inevitably be linemen. Little did I know I'd have the privilege to coach him in High School throughout his career," Bishop Sullivan Head Football Coach Chris Scott stated.
"He's just as tough as they come. He's earned every bit of piece of attention that he's received. He knew what he was looking for and found it in West Point."
"I think it's going to be a great opportunity. I think we're going to surprise a lot of people. Honestly, you have to play the best to be the best."
Army and Head Coach Jeff Monken and have now reeled in three commitments from the '757' area code in the Class of 2017 with Knapp, Woodside QB Tyhier Tyler (see more on him here) and Grafton DE Ray Gonzalez (see more on him here).
As for Bishop Sullivan, the Crusaders have six rising seniors committed for the next level in Knapp, Capehart, running back Khalan Laborn (Florida State), receiver Tylan McElhenie (Delaware) and twins Brandon Gaddy and Breyon Gaddy (both to Tennessee). Also, Class of 2019 defensive back Tayvion 'Tank' Land has given an early verbal to Virginia Tech.
Hopes are high for the private school which won a state title just a few years ago and has a date set with powerhouse IMG Academy out of Florida to close out the season in November.
Matthew Hatfield has covered football and basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a staff writer for Tar Heel Illustrated. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10 AM on ESPN Radio 94.1, plus watch him on the Cox 11 Sports Report.