South Carolina football sixth-year linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. declared for the NFL Draft after his debut year with the Gamecocks.
Knight Jr. spent his first four years at Georgia Tech then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
In his breakout season at Charlotte, he had 96 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions. His performance at Charlotte earned him First-Team All-AAC in 2023.
Knight Jr. joined the Gamecocks in January 2024 and made the most of his first and final season in the Southeastern conference. He finished second on the team with 82 total tackles to go along with two sacks, three forced fumbles and a game-sealing interception.
His early leadership at South Carolina earned him 2024 Rex Enright Team Captain and Most Outstanding Senior. As for his performance, he was an honorable mention for 2024 All-SEC and one of three picks for the 2024 Joe Morrison MVP Defense award.
Strengths
Knight Jr. is a very passionate player when it comes to football and has good instincts on the field. He plays not just for himself but also for his family. He plays with a cause and it shows through his game.
When Knight Jr. asked why he committed to play in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl despite being able to opt-out, he cited his kids as his reason.
"I didn't want my daughter and my son to be like, 'Oh, why didn't you play in the last game?' ... I don't want to give them an excuse," Knight Jr. said. "When you start it, finish it."
Another aspect that helps him with his game is his burst of size and speed. At the 2025 NFL Combine, he measured in at 6 feet, 2 inches tall with an 80.5-inch wingspan. His 40-yard dash was tied for the fifth-fastest run by the linebackers in his class at 4.58 seconds with a 1.58-second 10-yard split.
According to NFL.com, "he uses his eyes and instincts to diagnose quickly and he maneuvers around bodies like a running back."
Knight Jr. has a bit of a different addition than other linebackers in his draft class. He played quarterback in high school and was initially recruited to play quarterback at Georgia Tech, which can help him with his defensive scheme and highlight his versatility.
Knight Jr.'s leadership qualities showcase on and off the field. He is able to bring a level of maturity to whichever team he is at.
"If I don't have a good day I don't tell myself I had bad day today," Knight Jr. said. "I had a day to get better from, I did things today that I can learn from."
Weaknesses
While Knight Jr. has a high tackling rate, his lateral agility and tight hips affect his movements and ability to block passes. At the NFL Combine, Knight Jr. had a 31.5-inch vertical jump, ranking in last place among the linebackers in this class.
According to NFL DRAFT BUZZ, he has some man coverage limitations against quick running backs and tight ends.
His age may also become a notice to NFL scouts as a sixth-year athlete and 25 years old — the average age of most linebackers already in the NFL.
With his previous experiences in different positions, he could begin his career playing primarily on special teams before he gets a real opportunity in the NFL.
NFL Fits and Draft Outlook
At the combine, Knight Jr. was able to showcase his talents for various NFL scouts.
He had the third-best three-cone drill and bench press out of the linebackers who participated. He logged a 7.12-second three-cone drill and a 22-rep bench press at 225 pounds.
“I didn’t find much that I didn’t like about him. He might get dinged for being a six-year player, but that Alabama game shows you everything you need to see,” an NFC national scout said.
After the combine, he was placed on Mel Kiper’s draft risers. Kiper said Knight Jr. was his No. 4 linebacker before this week and thinks he is a clear Day 2 pick.
There is not as much of a need for linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft as there is for other defensive positions, yet there are a few fits for him. Those teams include the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. During the Reese's Senior Bowl, he had a meeting with the Cowboys, which turned out to be one of his favorites while there.
NFL.com compares Knight Jr. to Germaine Pratt, a linebacker who was drafted out of NC State in the 2019 NFL Draft in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals. In his six years with the Bengals, he has 616 total tackles along with 3.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles and interceptions.
Bleacher Report compares Knight Jr. to Reggie Ragland, a linebacker drafted out of Alabama in 2016 in the second round by the Buffalo Bills. Ragland has spent his NFL career with six total teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns. Throughout the various teams he has been on, he has 292 total tackles with 3.5 sacks and one interception.
What’s Next?
The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. EST and end on Saturday, April 26. The Green Bay Packers are set to host, and it will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.