|BlackJesus| Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 Who the Bengals are getting in LB Demetrius Knight Jr. #NFL #NFLDraft2025.mp4 Quote
|BlackJesus| Posted April 26 Author Report Posted April 26 Demetrius Knight Jr. South Carolina LB Prospect Info College South Carolina Hometown Class Locust Grove, GA Senior Height 6’ 2’’ Weight 235 lbs Arm 32 5/8’’ Hand 10’’ Analysis Draft Projection Rounds 2-3 NFL Comparison Germaine Pratt Overview Passionate linebacker with great size, good instincts and a feel for how to play the position. Knight is a fluid athlete with average pursuit speed and short-area burst. He uses his eyes and instincts to diagnose quickly and he maneuvers around bodies like a running back. He’s adept at slipping blocks and rarely allows blockers to stick and sustain on the second level. He’s aware and productive in zone but could struggle to stay connected in man coverage. He’s not a twitchy mover but knows how to play the game and has a chance to play on all three downs. Knight’s field demeanor and football character should seal the deal as a future starter at inside ‘backer. Strengths Broad frame is built for rugged action in the box. Keys and reacts to play design with good pace. Disdainful hands help play off or shed climbing blocks. Pursues with movement that is athletic but controlled. Very natural at slipping blocks without losing run fits. Runs through his tackle targets with force and wrap-up. Alert in his zone drops with movement that mirrors quarterback’s eyes. Weaknesses Short-area and lateral twitch appear to be average. Can become impatient during scrape and trigger. Below-average burst limits pursuit success from back side. Might not have enough speed for man coverage as a pro. Below-average elusiveness and production as blitzer. Sources Tell Us “I didn’t find much that I didn’t like about him. He might get dinged for being a six-year player, but that Alabama game shows you everything you need to see.” – NFC national scout Quote
Jamie_B Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 Lets just hope he is Pratt when Pratt was good 1 Quote
sparky151 Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 The cynical might think he was picked so they could move on from Pratt. He wasn't rated this highly on most draft boards because of his age. Quote
MichaelWeston Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 LB6 Demetrius Knight Jr. South Carolina, 6SR HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL BIRTHDAY AGE HT WT NUM Locust Grove, GA Strong Rock Christian Jan 04, 2000 25.30 6015 235 #17 BACKGROUND: Demetrius Knight Jr., who has a younger sister (Knyla), grew up in Henry County, Ga. (south of Atlanta), with his parents (Demetrius and Stephanie). He started playing football in elementary school, first on the offensive line before showing off what he could with the ball in his hands for the pee wee Stallions. Several of Knight's family members have played football, including his cousin (DeAngelo Hall), a first-round pick (No. 😎 in the 2004 NFL Draft who played 14 seasons in the NFL. Knight is also distant relatives with R&B musical artists Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin. Knight met his future wife (Jensy) in high school on a mission trip to Haiti, and the couple later married in September 2022. They have a 2-year-old daughter (Kamila) and their son (Malachi) turns 1 in June 2025. Knight attended Strong Rock Christian School, a private school in Locust Grove not exactly known for its football program. While playing quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back, he became a varsity starter as a freshman and accounted for 1,313 yards (935 passing, 378 rushing) and 11 touchdowns (six passing, five rushing). As a sophomore in 2017, Knight saw most of his time at wide receiver and posted 35 catches for 486 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 37 tackles and one interception, as he helped Strong Rock Christian to the school's first-ever playoff appearance. Knight earned second-team all-region and all-county honors as a junior captain with 1,025 passing yards, 682 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns. As a senior captain, he surpassed 1,000 yards both passing and rushing and again earned all-region honors. Knight earned MVP honors playing for the U.S. national team against Canada in the USA Football Invitational at AT&T Stadium. He also lettered in baseball, basketball and track and finished fourth at the 2019 state championships in the 100 meters (11.02 seconds). He had personal bests of 23.47 in the 200 and 21 feet, 3 inches in the long jump. A three-star recruit, Knight was the 31st-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 119 recruit in Georgia. Playing at a Class A private school, he went overlooked as a recruit and didn't have any recruiting stars until he committed to Georgia Tech the summer before his senior year. His first scholarship offer came from FCS Tennessee Tech in April 2018. Two months later, Knight attended a camp at Georgia Tech and impressed with his speed and arm and secured a scholarship (as a quarterback) from former head coach Paul Johnson. Knight stayed committed after Johnson's retirement following the 2018 season and was part of Geoff Collins' first recruiting class at Georgia Tech, although the new staff wanted Knight as more of an "athlete." He was the 18th-ranked recruit in Collins' 2019 class and became the first football player in Strong Rock Christian history to earn a Division I scholarship. Knight played primarily on special teams over his first three seasons at Georgia Tech (also practiced at quarterback). After Georgia Tech fired Collins a month into the 2022 season, Knight left the team after four games (to secure redshirt status) and entered the transfer portal (Oct. 2022). Charlotte strength and conditioning coach Lewis Caralla, who previously had worked on the Georgia Tech staff, reached out to Knight and invited him for a visit. He received an offer and enrolled at Charlotte in January 2022. To help provide for their family while at Charlotte, Knight and his wife held jobs as DoorDash delivery drivers (sometimes after games). After one season, Knight decided to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic and entered the transfer portal. After his visit to Columbia, Knight was locked on South Carolina for 2024. There, he rejoined Kyle Kennard, his teammate at Georgia Tech. Knight was a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient and graduated with a degree in literature, media and communication from Georgia Tech (Dec. 2022). He accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl. YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT NOTES 2019: (12/0) 18 2.0 1.0 1 2 0 Georgia Tech; enrolled June 2019 2020: (8/0) 18 1.0 0.0 1 0 0 Georgia Tech; pandemic-shortened season 2021: (12/0) 6 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Georgia Tech; 1-for-1 passing for 4 yards 2022: (4/0) 9 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Georgia Tech; redshirted; entered transfer portal after fourth game (Oct. 2022) 2023: (12/12) 96 5.5 1.5 0 7 3 Charlotte; First Team All-AAC; led team in INTs, tackles; 16-yard INT TD 2024: (13/10) 82 8.0 2.0 3 2 1 South Carolina; led team in FFs; team captain Total: (61/22) 229 16.5 4.5 5 11 4 HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP NOTES COMBINE 6015 235 10 32 5/8 80 1/2 4.58 2.69 1.63 31 1/2 9'10" 4.25 7.12 22 PRO DAY 6015 236 10 32 5/8 81 3/8 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP STRENGTHS: ● Long, angular frame and carries 245 pounds well ● Light on feet for quick reactions with terrific straight-line speed ● Flashes serious closing burst, especially as blitzer (see strip sack 2024 Oklahoma tape) ● Capable spy with good feel for when to unlock and drive ● Trusts eyes in run game to diagnose and park in correct gap ● Quickness and hands help him navigate rush-hour traffic at line ● Has some thump behind his tackles, with a decent tackle radius ● Extensive special teams background (675 career snaps) ● Described as "weight room addict" and twice named "lifter of the year" at Georgia Tech; won Gamecocks' Strength and Conditioning Award ● Established himself as a Gamecocks leader and team captain, despite just one season in the program WEAKNESSES: ● Some tightness in quick direction changes ● Will take cheese on play fakes and misdirection ● Can be attacked in man coverage when stuck on an island ● Doesn't anticipate enough to be playmaker in pass defense ● Doesn't play inexperienced but lack of starting reps (for a sixth-year senior) is concerning ● Older player — will be 25 on draft weekend SUMMARY: A one-year starter at South Carolina, Knight played the Mike linebacker spot in defensive coordinator Clayton White's flex-nickel scheme. A mature, well-traveled player, he spent four seasons as a special-teamer at Georgia Tech and one at Charlotte before transferring to Columbia in 2024. He quickly ingrained himself into South Carolina's culture and became a productive team leader on defense. An active, green-dot defender, Knight has a quick downhill trigger against the run, with the straight-line pursuit speed to drive and finish at the ball carrier. Though he has some limitations in coverage, he is a capable underneath zone defender who can reach his landmark and get eyes on the passer. Overall, Knight won't be a true three-down player for some schemes, but he fits the bill for a defense seeking a fast, thumping run stuffer and blitzer with an old-school mentality. He has early-down starting potential and should see immediate reps on special teams. GRADE: 3rd-4th round 1 Quote
dex Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 2 minutes ago, sparky151 said: The cynical might think he was picked so they could move on from Pratt. He wasn't rated this highly on most draft boards because of his age. They had the longest running drought of not drafting LBs in the NFL. First one taken since the Burrow draft. Quote
Jamie_B Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 I guess we shouldnt be surprised Golden took a LB, he was our LB coach Quote
alleycat Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 I didn't look at LBs much beyond Campbell because I was so focused on added pass rush in 1, but the two things I remember about Knight are NFL.com and A to Z sports liking him a lot. Here's A to Z's take (cued up). I haven't watched his tape at all: 1 Quote
alleycat Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 Just now, Jamie_B said: I guess we shouldnt be surprised Golden took a LB, he was our LB coach This gives me heart. Quote
sparky151 Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 He's married with 2 kids and was academic all-ACC. He sounds pretty mature, the anti-Burton. 5 Quote
alleycat Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 2 minutes ago, spicoli said: Whelp, interesting that they see him being used the same way I'd hope they would have considered Jihaad, so this is interesting. Now I actually have to go watch him, and pay particular attention to his numbers. Quote
spicoli Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 You’re getting a day one starter in R2, pretty much exactly what you want. Great pick, IMO. 1 2 Quote
TigerJ@w Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 They keep bragging about his speed so no problem covering TEs, right. We shall see. Quote
|BlackJesus| Posted April 26 Author Report Posted April 26 6 minutes ago, sparky151 said: He's married with 2 kids and was academic all-ACC. He sounds pretty mature He probably has an IRA and early drawing from social security. Quote
Jamie_B Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 4 minutes ago, spicoli said: Our version of Al Golden's "Viper" position? Quote
T-Dub Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 Seems like a safe pick, if a little early. Again have to wonder how all the other teams with scouting departments had him graded. Quote
MichaelWeston Posted April 26 Report Posted April 26 4 minutes ago, BlackJesus said: He probably has an IRA and early drawing from social security. He gets discounts by using his gold en buckeye card. 2 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.