Wrestler Anthony Knox Signs with Rutgers Following Controversy
Anthony Knox, the wrestler who had a public altercation with his father at a high school wrestling tournament last year, has reportedly signed with Rutgers.
Knox has made a name for himself as one of New Jersey’s top high school wrestlers, achieving the feat of winning four state championships—making him only the fifth wrestler in history to do so.
Initially, he committed to Cornell during his junior year but decided to take a gap year after graduating high school in the spring of 2025. He then decommitted from Cornell in mid-December, which kicked off a renewed round of recruitment.
Hints about his decision to join Rutgers emerged Tuesday night when he shared an image of Tony Soprano from “The Sopranos” on Instagram. Rutgers head coach Scott Goodale responded with a simple “BOOM” on social media, a remark he frequently uses for high-profile recruits.
Knox is projected to compete at 125 pounds and is expected to start his college wrestling journey next season.
During his time at St. John Vianney, Knox recorded an impressive 144 wins and just one loss, establishing himself as one of the leading wrestlers at 126 pounds nationally.
Despite his athletic accolades, both Knox and his father, Anthony Knox Sr., are facing legal challenges related to a fight that broke out at a district wrestling tournament in February 2025. They have been charged with simple assault causing bodily harm and assert their innocence.
The legal proceedings, which were supposed to start this week, have seen several delays due to disputes over video evidence and are now set to be heard again on January 28.
Police reports indicate that Knox and his father confronted spectators from another school, leading to the altercation.
Following the incident, the NJSIAA initially barred Knox from participating in the state tournament. However, his family successfully sued for his reinstatement, allowing him to compete. Notably, he went on to secure his fourth state title at the championship tournament in Atlantic City shortly after.
