Welcome Demetrius Knight

[Frank Booth]

history says old rookies like Knight dont pan out

history says 1st round projects like stewart dont pan out

I say to hell with that! Duke will lead us to the promised land! Who dey!!

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 09:37 PM)pally Wrote:

Al Golden on Knight: "The first thing that jumps out is his character, makeup and ability to become a captain in a short time frame. He was the MVP of one of the best defenses in the country."

"This guy is hard to find. They just don't make them this long. He has played at 245.…

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 26, 2025

Golden: "I was waiting for this pick for 17 picks right now. I was waiting for Demetrius. We are very fortunate to have him."

Talks about how Knight really complements what Logan Wilson does well.

"Gives us a lot of versatility. Couple that with what we did last night with…

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 26, 2025

 

Golden answered the naysayers when he said he was waitng for 17 picks He was his choice and so I am good with it.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 10:12 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: history says old rookies like Knight dont pan out

history says 1st round projects like stewart dont pan out

I say to hell with that! Duke will lead us to the promised land! Who dey!!

We could be in the Super Bowl and figure out a way to attempt to ruin the experience.

You do have history on your side so an easy position to take bashing the Bengals. I thought onlu Bengal's fans were allowe to post in JN, you stopped being a fan a long time ago if you were ever one.

[WhoDeyK]

While I personally think it was a little early, I like his tape and character. Rooting for him!

[Frank Booth]

(Yesterday, 10:16 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We could be in the Super Bowl and figure out a way to attempt to ruin the experience.

You do have history on your side so an easy position to take bashing the Bengals. I thought onlu Bengal's fans were allowe to post in JN, you stopped being a fan a long time ago if you were ever one.

I love duke tobin how dare you question my fandom

[*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

[kalibengal]

(Yesterday, 09:42 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I wanted Demetrious Knight as our Viper, he is not like Pratt, stupid comparison. I thought we could get this guy in the 4th round because
of his age and kept looking for him in my Mocks but he was never there. Great speed, great smarts and will start next to Logan right off the
bat coming off the edge when needed, he wasn't used as a blitzer much from what I understand at SC.

I wanted us to draft Guard here though, Ratledge or Watts the FS. I like the player, not where he was taken, we could of traded back and
gotten him pretty sure. But the player is not the one to hate on here at all. All you guys are going to like Knight if he can stay healthy.

So when are we signing Risner now that our G issue is getting more and more bleak
Im meh on this pick here in 2nd rd, hopefully they nailed it. I thought this dude was more of a 3rd or 4th rd projection

[Frank Booth]

(Yesterday, 10:19 PM)kalibengal Wrote: So when are we signing Risner now that our G issue is getting more and more bleak
Im meh on this pick here in 2nd rd, hopefully they nailed it. I thought this dude was more of a 3rd or 4th rd projection

he's also 25 lmao

[sandwedge]

(Yesterday, 09:47 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: An analyst mentioned his age was a concern, but another noted the Bengals window is now, not when Knight would be looking for a second contract.

Something I had not considered.

Thank you! We are drafting players and not worrying about their 2nd contract. 

[felis tigris]

(Yesterday, 09:37 PM)pally Wrote:

Golden: "I was waiting for this pick for 17 picks right now. I was waiting for Demetrius. We are very fortunate to have him."

Talks about how Knight really complements what Logan Wilson does well.

"Gives us a lot of versatility. Couple that with what we did last night with…

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 26, 2025

 

This, more than anything, should give anyone that believes Golden is the right man for DC comfort.  At least it's indicative of a coordinated plan on the part of the FO and the coaching staff.  Now it's up to the coaching staff to execute on that plan and get the appropriate value out of the players they've bought into.

[Clark W Griswold]

(Yesterday, 10:19 PM)kalibengal Wrote: So when are we signing Risner now that our G issue is getting more and more bleak
Im meh on this pick here in 2nd rd, hopefully they nailed it. I thought this dude was more of a 3rd or 4th rd projection

The Bengals didn’t want to wait to draft him. They figured at his age he would be asleep on his couch and miss their call if they waited any later than the second round to take him.

Kidding - I don’t love the pick but I am rooting for him. Zac and Golden are certainly all in on him so we shall see.

[pulses]

(Yesterday, 09:40 PM)phil413 Wrote: That pick was in quick, that's what I hate, should have dealt back.  Trying to look at positive of this bad value pick, they have a possible NFL ready ILB to free up Pratt's contract. They can call a guard or use this toward Trey's raise to pay less or have one less year.  I'm scared they won't improve guard, I wouldn't have minded taking BPA over guard or Watt but we're here instead.  I know we should give this a shot but this is a D grade that they didn't deal back.

IF they were gonna go LB should have went Campbell in round 1 and then came back with Mike Green in round 2. That's a much better draft IMO.

[Essex Johnson]

Love the pick 1st real hammer we have had at LB since Bufict but more disciplined.. A+

[Nicomo Cosca]

Meanwhile the Lions OL gets even richer with the addition of Ratledge, and we pass on the opportunity to reunite him with Mims for an overage LB.

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 10:38 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Meanwhile the Lions OL gets even richer with the addition of Ratledge, and we pass on the opportunity to reunite him with Mims for an overage LB.

That was disappointing but the bottom line the defense needs attention 

[sandwedge]

(Yesterday, 10:12 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: history says old rookies like Knight dont pan out

history says 1st round projects like stewart dont pan out

I say to hell with that! Duke will lead us to the promised land! Who dey!!

History really says that? Huh

[M.W.]

(Yesterday, 10:30 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Love the pick 1st real hammer we have had at LB since Bufict but more disciplined.. A+

I hope you are accurate!  Burfict would be amazing if he was more disciplined and he was very good as an undisciplined!  

[Essex Johnson]

(Yesterday, 10:27 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: The Bengals didn’t want to wait to draft him. They figured at his age he would be asleep on his couch and miss their call if they waited any later than the second round to take him.

Kidding - I don’t love the pick but I am rooting for him. Zac and Golden are certainly all in on him so we shall see.

I wanted this guy in mocks never worked out so im pumped

[*psychdoctor*]

This guy hits like a truck

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 09:47 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: An analyst mentioned his age was a concern, but another noted the Bengals window is now, not when Knight would be looking for a second contract.

Something I had not considered.

Makes sense. Our window is now with our QB and weapons locked up. Heard Golden was hoping that Knight wasn't picked 17 picks
before this because he was HIS guy all along. Bottom line, this is the viper for his Defense to go along with Logan at MIKE.

Hodges clearly didn't speak about Pratt even being on the team. Whoever made the comparison to Pratt are the idiots. Knight is much
faster and a much better tackler and is a much better blitzer if used that way and is all about the team and not himself.