 McKnight was the latest of a line of running back prospects out of John Curtis Christian HS – among them Reggie Dupard, Chris Howard and Jonathan Wells.Most recruiting analysts ranked him as one of the top two of the 2007 high school class (next to quarterback Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian High School).Considered a five-star recruit, on January 28, 2007, McKnight was named co-Player of the Year by "Parade", sharing the honor with Clausen.