Welcome Demetrius Knight

[*Synric*]

Dane Brugler's write up on Demetrius Knight in The Beast.

Quote: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 of f ensive line before showing of f 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. 8) 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 playof f 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 of f er 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 Geof f Collins' first recruiting class at Georgia Tech, although the new staf f 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 staf f , reached out to Knight and invited him for a visit. He received an of f er 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.

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 traf f i c 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 stuf f er 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