Charlotte leading tackler commits to South Carolina

Charlotte transfer portal linebacker Demetrius Knight II, the 49ers leading tackler and second-leading tackler in all of the AAC this past season, has announced a commitment to South Carolina.

The First Team All-American Athletic Conference selection collected 96 tackles in what was a career year for the senior who has one year of eligibility left.

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Knight, who was recruited to South Carolina by defensive coordinator Clayton White, committed to the Gamecocks while on a visit to the school.

The 6-foot-2, 247-pounder also led the 49ers with three interceptions, and added 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, starting all 12 games.

The addition of Knight is a welcomed one for South Carolina as he will look to step in and help replace the losses of middle linebackers Stone Blanton and Pup Howard who exited via the portal. Howard committed to Florida this week.

A Locust Grove, Ga. native who attended Strong Rock Christian High School, Knight originally signed with Georgia Tech as a quarterback but quickly made the switch to defense. He played in 36 games over four seasons at Georgia Tech, collecting 51 tackles, including 3.0 TFL and a sack.

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Demetrius Knight bio from Charlotte

At Charlotte: Knight, who led a defense that improved over 60 points in the national ratings, had a team-high 96 tackles. His 96 tackles are the second-most in the AAC this season and his 8.0 tackles per game rank third in the league. Knight also led the 49ers with three interceptions, including his first career pick-six at Maryland. Knight’s 96 tackles are the fifth-most recorded in a single-season by a 49er. His 13 tackles in the season-finale at South Florida were the most turned in by a 49er this season and marked his third game with double-digit tackles. Knight, who started all 12 games, also added 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In addition to his three interceptions, which included INTs in back-to-back games vs. Memphis and Rice, he had four pass break-ups, with one coming in the endzone on fourth down at USF.

At Georgia Tech: Played in 36 games over four season at Georgia Tech … collected 51 tackles (30 solo) with 3.0 TFL and 1.0 sacks … added two forced fumbles and two passes defended …. played in four games in 2022 with nine tackles … saw action in 12 games in 2021 as a reserve linebacker and special teams player … recorded six tackles, with a high of two vs. No. 1 Georgia … completed a pass on a fake punt attempt to collect a first down vs. Boston College … returned a fumble 37 yards to set up a TD against North Carolina … had 18 tackles in 2020 in eight games played … had one TFO and one FF … had a high of four tackles in three games: at Florida State; vs. UCF and vs. Notre Dame … added a TFL and FF vs. UCF … played in all 12 games as a true freshman … 18 tackles (10 solo) with 2.0 TFL and 1.0 sacks … added a FF and two passes defended … first collegiate tackle in season-opener  at No. 1 Clemson … six tackles at Duke … recorded a strip sack that was recovered in the endzone for a TD in OT win at Miami … three-time member of ACC Academic Honor Roll.

At Strong Rock Christian: Three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.com … No. 30 dual-threat QB by 247Sports … two-time first team all-Region and all-area … four-year starting QB and two-time team captain … topped 1,000 passing and rushing yards as a senior … holds school-record with a 99-yard TD run … named MVP of the USA Football Invitational (USA vs. Canada at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas) … four-year letterwinner in both basketball and baseball … broke a rim on a slam dunk while playing basketball.

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