South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight earns second round NFL Draft selection
South Carolina football senior linebacker and team captain Demetrius Knight is on his way to the NFL. On Friday, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Knight with the 17th pick of the second round (the 49th overall selection). He is the first Gamecock linebacker taken in the NFL Draft since Ernest Jones in 2021.
On his way to Cincinnati, Knight will bring impressive physical tools (he’s listed at 6-2 and 235 pounds and ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash) and elite character and leadership ability to his new team. He joins a defense that also ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in both rush defense and pass defense.
Knight is the third Gamecock who has earned a pick in the NFL Draft so far, joining safety Nick Emmanwori and defensive lineman TJ Sanders.
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Knight began his college career as a quarterback with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets but quickly moved to linebacker. He never carved out a consistent role in Atlanta; however, after a transfer to the Charlotte 49ers, he broke out with an all-conference season.
A final collegiate season in 2024 saw Knight continue proving himself as a big-time player. Despite playing in a loaded linebacker room, he logged 82 tackles, good for second on the team. The Gamecock ‘backer also registered eight tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. His pick was an important one as it sealed South Carolina’s rivalry victory over the Clemson Tigers.
Knight’s South Carolina accomplishments include:
*2024 Rex Enright Team Captain
*2024 Most Outstanding Senior
*2024 Joe Morrison MVP Defense
*2024 Honorable Mention All-SEC (College Football Nation)
*2024 Strength and Conditioning Award
*2024 co-Nutrition Award
