South-Doyle's Elijah Young to 'open my recruitment back up,' still committed to Missouri

Clarification: Elijah Young told the News Sentinel that he has only reopened his recruitment, not decommitted from Missouri. He said he remains committed to Missouri.

Elijah Young, the first South-Doyle athlete to win the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award, has reopened his recruitment following Missouri's decision to fire coach Barry Odom.

Young announced his decision on Twitter. 

"Until things clear up and a new Head Coach is hired at Mizzou, I've decided to open my recruitment back up," Young tweeted. "Mizzou will remain at the top of my list and I couldn't be more thankful for (Missouri assistant) Coach (Cornell) Ford and his support."

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Young clarified his tweet to the News Sentinel afterward. He said he remains committed to Missouri and the school remains his top choice.

South-Doyle coach Clark Duncan said Ford visited Monday with Young and told them all the offers still stood.

Young rushed for 2,170 yards and 39 touchdowns this season and was named Class 5A Mr. Football on Monday. He was No. 5 in the News Sentinel's inaugural Elite 8, which ranked the top college football prospects from the Knoxville area for the Class of 2020.

Young committed to Missouri in June. His other finalists were Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Odom was fired Nov. 30 after four seasons at Missouri. He went 25-25 with two bowl appearances.

Reach Tom Kreager at tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.