Luke Knox, a Brentwood Academy linebacker, signs with Ole Miss

Brentwood Academy senior Luke Knox was one of the few Nashville-area football players who still had a decision to make on signing day. 

Unlike most of the state’s college football prospects, who signed letters of intent during the first NCAA football early-signing period, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound outside linebacker did things the old fashioned way.

The decision to wait, however, wasn't his. 

Knox, a three-star linebacker according to 247Sports, signed a letter of intent to play football at Ole Miss on Wednesday morning, doing so less than 24 hours after the Rebels extended an offer. 

“On Sunday when I was leaving my visit to Ole Miss, Coach (Matt) Luke told me he wanted to offer me but it could end up being a gray shirt, meaning I’d have to pay tuition for one semester,” Knox said. “I was ecstatic about that. Then last night (assistant coach Maurice) Harris called me and told me they had a spot for me and wanted to put me on scholarship.”

More:See which Nashville area high school seniors are signing

This past season — his first as a starter — the safety-turned-linebacker tallied 60 tackles (15½ for loss) with 8½ sacks and two interceptions, garnering TSWA all-state honors for the Eagles, who allowed just 10 points per game en route to their third consecutive state championship.  

“I wouldn’t say he was overshadowed, just a little under the radar,” said fellow BA linebacker Jackson Sirmon, a four-star prospect who signed with Washington in December. “He put on a lot of weight last summer and worked really hard finding a new position. I think he was just a little behind in the recruiting process because he was a bit of (a) late bloomer, but I’m really happy and excited for him.

“He really deserves it.”

Knox, who also had offers from Air Force and Navy, along with FCS programs Chattanooga and Princeton, didn’t just fulfill his college football dreams on Wednesday. By signing with the Rebels, he’ll soon be reunited with his older brother, 2014 Brentwood Academy graduate Dawson Knox.

Dawson, a former walk-on for the Rebels, was awarded a scholarship after the 2017 season in which the 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end hauled in 24 receptions for 321 yards.

“It has been tremendously exciting,” said their father, David Knox. “Luke has worked really hard this year, and that was really the one season that he had a chance to participate. We knew the recruiting was going to be really late for him, and we’re just real thankful it all came together at the right time.

“We had our fingers crossed that they would be interested in (Luke) toward the end, and it has worked out great.”

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com or 615-259-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.