Welcome Demetrius Knight

[Luvnit2]

I posted this in Fairchild thread as well. ZT's comment after the draft.

Was the thought process that Demetrius Knight Jr. wasn't going to be available if you had waited until the third round?

"Yes."

You felt like you had to go get him, and you felt good that Dylan Fairchild was going to be there in the third round? Did you feel confident that was going to happen?

"I didn't feel good Dylan was going to be there, but yes, that's how it worked out."

[Luvnit2]

(04-26-2025, 04:30 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote:
For a guy who's 25 years old playing against guys as young as 18, I would have expected him to be much, much more dominant. His stats and testing numbers are rather pedestrian. In fact his testing numbers are very similar, but slightly lower than Germaine Pratt. His scouting report reads pretty much the same as Pratt's, will be decent versus the run but could be a liability in coverage...

I just feel like they could have found the same guy, with a different face in the 4th or 5th, but as Bengal fans we've come to expect at least one "WTF?" pick in every draft.

I think this is a huge stretch. Most teams OL players are loaded with juniors and seniors. It takes a special athlete to start on the OL at a division 1 school and the SEC as well. A bunch of SEC RB's and TE's just got drafted as well. It is not like Knight was playing for Marshall in the MAC.

You see Pratt, I see a guy who knows how to tackle and Pratt forgot.

[XenoMorph]

Welcome to the Jungle.

[Mickeypoo]

(04-26-2025, 11:10 AM)pally Wrote:

If you watch one "call" video... watch this one.

What a moment ? pic.twitter.com/hb8fVti7yE

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) April 26, 2025

This was awesome!!  Definitely teared up a little.

[Sled21]

(04-28-2025, 09:02 AM)Mickeypoo Wrote: This was awesome!!  Definitely teared up a little.

Yeah, tell me this dude isn't going to give it his all. He's just what we needed.

[Clark W Griswold]

Yeah I wasn’t sure about a rookie who is Chase’s age but he seems like a good dude.
He’s for sure going to give maximum effort and this is a good example of how the portal/NIL can be a very positive thing.

[Luvnit2]

(04-28-2025, 12:44 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: Yeah I wasn’t sure about a rookie who is Chase’s age but he seems like a good dude.
He’s for sure going to give maximum effort and this is a good example of how the portal/NIL can be a very positive thing.

I found this interesting. He was a very good high school QB. He has only played LB for 6 years. Also, been honor student every year in college. He is married and has 2 children. He is actually 24, turns 25 in July. Demetrius T. Knight Jr. was born July 21, 2000

https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football/roster/player/demetrius-knight-ii/

HIGH SCHOOL

Four-year starter at quarterback and two-time team captain at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, Ga… two-time first-team all-region and all-area honoree… threw for 1,025 yards and ran for 682 yards as a junior in 2017 and eclipsed the 1,000-yard marks in both passing and rushing as a senior in 2018… holds the school record with a 99-yard touchdown run… also played wide receiver and running back during his prep career for the Patriots… was named MVP of the USA Football Invitational when playing for the U.S. national team versus Canada at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas… tabbed as the No. 30-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the nation by 247Sports… became the first NCAA Division I football student-athlete to ever come from Strong Rock Christian… coached by Tommy Webb… versatile athlete was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball as well as football… once broke a rim during a slam dunk in a basketball game.

[*PhilHos*]

(04-28-2025, 01:13 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I found this interesting. He was a very good high school QB. He has only played LB for 6 years. Also, been honor student every year in college. He is married and has 2 children. He is actually 24, turns 25 in July. Demetrius T. Knight Jr. was born July 21, 2000

https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football/roster/player/demetrius-knight-ii/

HIGH SCHOOL

Four-year starter at quarterback and two-time team captain at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, Ga… two-time first-team all-region and all-area honoree… threw for 1,025 yards and ran for 682 yards as a junior in 2017 and eclipsed the 1,000-yard marks in both passing and rushing as a senior in 2018… holds the school record with a 99-yard touchdown run… also played wide receiver and running back during his prep career for the Patriots… was named MVP of the USA Football Invitational when playing for the U.S. national team versus Canada at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas… tabbed as the No. 30-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the nation by 247Sports… became the first NCAA Division I football student-athlete to ever come from Strong Rock Christian… coached by Tommy Webb… versatile athlete was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball as well as football… once broke a rim during a slam dunk in a basketball game.

I've always said the best people are born in July and not just because I and my wife and my brother and my youngest daughter were all born in July.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-26-2025, 11:10 AM)pally Wrote:

If you watch one "call" video... watch this one.

What a moment ? pic.twitter.com/hb8fVti7yE

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) April 26, 2025

 This is why I love the Draft.

I think we got a good one here in Demetrius.

[Sled21]

(04-28-2025, 01:13 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I found this interesting. He was a very good high school QB. He has only played LB for 6 years. Also, been honor student every year in college. He is married and has 2 children. He is actually 24, turns 25 in July. Demetrius T. Knight Jr. was born July 21, 2000

https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football/roster/player/demetrius-knight-ii/

HIGH SCHOOL

Four-year starter at quarterback and two-time team captain at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, Ga… two-time first-team all-region and all-area honoree… threw for 1,025 yards and ran for 682 yards as a junior in 2017 and eclipsed the 1,000-yard marks in both passing and rushing as a senior in 2018… holds the school record with a 99-yard touchdown run… also played wide receiver and running back during his prep career for the Patriots… was named MVP of the USA Football Invitational when playing for the U.S. national team versus Canada at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas… tabbed as the No. 30-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the nation by 247Sports… became the first NCAA Division I football student-athlete to ever come from Strong Rock Christian… coached by Tommy Webb… versatile athlete was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball as well as football… once broke a rim during a slam dunk in a basketball game.

I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess he knows how to pay rent and will not wear pajamas to practice. 

[coachmcneil71]

(04-28-2025, 01:31 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote:  This is why I love the Draft.

I think we got a good one here in Demetrius.

I agree, and I think this kid is going to come in and quickly become a fan favorite. That's the good stuff! 

S.Carolina had 5 players drafted, all of which came from a very strong 2024 defensive unit. In addition to the players drafted they had 2-3 other players from that defense signed as UDFAs. 

The fact that he played QB, as mentioned by Luvnit, only adds to my belief that he will contribute.

A million years ago I played QB, RB, WR, S, and CB. Yes, I played all over the damn field. Even had some snaps at LB. Ts, being a QB only made me better as a DB. From my DB perspective I was able to decipher what QBs were processing on real time or at game speed. Opposing QBs fn hated me! I could call out the vast majority of the things that they were trying to do. It led to a lot of PDs and INTs. 

[*Synric*]

(04-29-2025, 02:34 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I agree, and I think this kid is going to come in and quickly become a fan favorite. That's the good stuff! 

S.Carolina had 5 players drafted, all of which came from a very strong 2024 defensive unit. In addition to the players drafted they had 2-3 other players from that defense signed as UDFAs. 

The fact that he played QB, as mentioned by Luvnit, only adds to my belief that he will contribute.

A million years ago I played QB, RB, WR, S, and CB. Yes, I played all over the damn field. Even had some snaps at LB. Ts, being a QB only made me better as a DB. From my DB perspective I was able to decipher what QBs were processing on real time or at game speed. Opposing QBs fn hated me! I could call out the vast majority of the things that they were trying to do. It led to a lot of PDs and INTs. 

South Carolina had one of the best defensive lines in college football. Dylan Stewart their true freshman edge could be in a battle with Jeremiah Smith for #1 overall in 2027. 

[Clark W Griswold]

(04-29-2025, 08:09 AM)Sled21 Wrote: I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess he knows how to pay rent and will not wear pajamas to practice. 

I’m sure he does.
They should have Burton move in with him during the season. Guarantee you he would be on time and already to go.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-29-2025, 02:34 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I agree, and I think this kid is going to come in and quickly become a fan favorite. That's the good stuff! 

S.Carolina had 5 players drafted, all of which came from a very strong 2024 defensive unit. In addition to the players drafted they had 2-3 other players from that defense signed as UDFAs. 

The fact that he played QB, as mentioned by Luvnit, only adds to my belief that he will contribute.

A million years ago I played QB, RB, WR, S, and CB. Yes, I played all over the damn field. Even had some snaps at LB. Ts, being a QB only made me better as a DB. From my DB perspective I was able to decipher what QBs were processing on real time or at game speed. Opposing QBs fn hated me! I could call out the vast majority of the things that they were trying to do. It led to a lot of PDs and INTs. 

Makes complete sense. When you have played QB you can process so much better than other players as that is your job when playing QB,
to read Defenses. When you can read Defenses you can read QB's as well when you are on the other side. I too think Knight will become a
fan favorite. As you can see in this vid, he is really humble and football is a real passion of his.

I like all the players we selected in this Draft for this very reason, no Jackson Carman picks, they all love the game and want to be great.

(04-29-2025, 02:54 PM)Synric Wrote: South Carolina had one of the best defensive lines in college football. Dylan Stewart their true freshman edge could be in a battle with Jeremiah Smith for #1 overall in 2027. 

Could be, man, I really wanted Kennard off that DL in this last draft as well who always impressed me.

[Housh]

Kids really good in zone

Like REALLY good


Getting around to watching alot of his tape and he’s a smart guy

Iv watched whole games where he was in the right spot ALL GAME.

[Soonerpeace]

(04-29-2025, 08:09 AM)Sled21 Wrote: I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess he knows how to pay rent and will not wear pajamas to practice. 

Or lose his team iPad in his first 24 hours in Cincy

[Nepa]

(04-27-2025, 12:14 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I posted this in Fairchild thread as well. ZT's comment after the draft.

Was the thought process that Demetrius Knight Jr. wasn't going to be available if you had waited until the third round?

"Yes."

You felt like you had to go get him, and you felt good that Dylan Fairchild was going to be there in the third round? Did you feel confident that was going to happen?

"I didn't feel good Dylan was going to be there, but yes, that's how it worked out."

I don't think this is even the question. Yes, the Bengals certainly didn't want to wait until the 3rd round and hope Knight was there. The question is whether they tried to trade down. There were numerous 2nd round trades, including one spot in front of the Bengals, where, if the Bengals had made the trade, they would have gotten the 99th pick (!), at the end of the 3rd round, and only had to move down 9 spots. Same with a trade that took place shortly after the Bengals pick.

The odds of Knight being available 9 picks later would have been very high and the gain would have been very high (the 99th pick). And stated in Cincy Jungle:

"Demetrius Knight Jr. is a talented player, but being 25 years old makes it hard to believe he was going to be selected anytime soon. Trading back would have been ideal (and possible since the teams around them both traded back)."


A wise questioner would not have asked do you think he would have been there in the 3rd, but did you try to trade back?


https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/4/30/24419888/bengals-worst-gpa-2025-nfl-draft-grades

[NUGDUKWE]

(Yesterday, 11:21 PM)Nepa Wrote: I don't think this is even the question. Yes, the Bengals certainly didn't want to wait until the 3rd round and hope Knight was there. The question is whether they tried to trade down. There were numerous 2nd round trades, including one spot in front of the Bengals, where, if the Bengals had made the trade, they would have gotten the 99th pick (!), at the end of the 3rd round, and only had to move down 9 spots. Same with a trade that took place shortly after the Bengals pick.

The odds of Knight being available 9 picks later would have been very high and the gain would have been very high (the 99th pick). And stated in Cincy Jungle:

"Demetrius Knight Jr. is a talented player, but being 25 years old makes it hard to believe he was going to be selected anytime soon. Trading back would have been ideal (and possible since the teams around them both traded back)."


A wise questioner would not have asked do you think he would have been there in the 3rd, but did you try to trade back?


https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/4/30/24419888/bengals-worst-gpa-2025-nfl-draft-grades

Yeah that was another surprise to me. Really thought we would've tried to trade back. We desperately need the picks. Definitely makes them seem out of touch. But what doesn't anymore.

[sandwedge]

(Today, 12:23 AM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: Yeah that was another surprise to me. Really thought we would've tried to trade back. We desperately need the picks. Definitely makes them seem out of touch. But what doesn't anymore.

Is that a fact, that we didn't try to trade down?

[SladeX]

And a corollary: do you know for a fact he wasn’t as highly valued by another team? Does our new DC see him as a cornerstone of the D for years to come, a pick important enough not to leave anything to chance?