Demetrius Knight’s Unbelievable Journey: From Quarterback to NFL Draft Prospect
In just one season with South Carolina, Demetrius Knight made a name for himself as a leader and a standout on defense. His impressive campaign earned him All-SEC Honorable Mention recognition, but perhaps his most memorable moment was his game-sealing interception against rival Clemson. Now, Knight is set to take the next step, with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon.
A Unique Path to the NFL
Knight’s road to the draft has been anything but conventional. His football career began not as a linebacker but as a triple-option quarterback at Strong Rock Christian School in Georgia. “I played zero linebacker, not a snap,” Knight admitted. “Just playing [quarterback] in the triple option, I was letting my legs do the majority of the work.”
At 6’2” and around 200 pounds in high school, Knight initially drew attention as a dual-threat quarterback. At one point, his top college choice was Tennessee, where Butch Jones and his staff were keen on signing him. However, his plans were derailed when Jones was fired just days before Knight’s official visit.
Instead, Knight committed to his hometown team, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. However, before he could suit up as a quarterback, head coach Paul Johnson retired. Geoff Collins, who took over, had a different vision for Knight. “I got up there and said my whole deal. I went to say I was a quarterback, and Coach Collins cut me off and said, ‘You’re an athlete.’ So, I kind of knew from that point on that quarterback may not be in the description.”
A Rocky Transition to Linebacker
Adjusting to a new position was not easy. Knight struggled to find his footing at linebacker and nearly walked away from football entirely. When asked by Cole Cubelic on the Cube Show podcast who convinced him to stick with it, Knight was quick to credit his faith. “My Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ… my mom as well… and my strength coaches.”
Though he spent four years at Georgia Tech, Knight never got the opportunity to start. He made an impact on special teams, flashing his athleticism in a limited role. After taking advantage of the extra COVID eligibility year and a traditional redshirt season, he still had two years left to play.
Taking a Chance on Himself
Looking for a fresh start, Knight entered the transfer portal. Initially, he thought he would land at Florida, but when that fell through, he spent a season at Charlotte. There, he shined, earning All-Conference honors in the American Athletic Conference. Off the field, he and his wife took on DoorDash deliveries to support their family. Knight, now a husband and father of two, balanced football with his responsibilities at home.
With one more year of eligibility, Knight sought out a Power Five opportunity. After discussions with his wife, he chose South Carolina. The Gamecocks made him a priority in the portal, and Knight felt an instant connection with the program.
Dominating in Columbia
Despite competing in a loaded linebacker room featuring Kyle Kennard, Nick Emmanwori, and Dylan Stewart, Knight quickly established himself as a defensive leader. He finished the season with 82 tackles, the second-highest total on the team. At 245 pounds, he was the biggest linebacker in the group—and clocked in as the fastest, hitting speeds just under 22 miles per hour.
With his size, speed, and production, Knight’s draft stock skyrocketed. Initially viewed as a late-round pick, analysts have started to take notice. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has projected him as a second-rounder, while PFF even awarded him a first-round grade. Most NFL mock drafts have him landing somewhere between Rounds 3-5.
NFL Combine and Draft Prospects
Knight is one of 11 Gamecocks invited to the NFL Combine, where he is expected to post impressive testing numbers. If he delivers, he could solidify himself as an early-round selection in April’s NFL Draft. If he goes in the first round, he would be the first full-time Gamecock linebacker to do so. The last USC linebacker drafted? Ernest Jones in 2021—who is now a Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams.
From Uncertainty to NFL Stardom?
Knight’s story is one of resilience. From being overlooked as a quarterback, to struggling through a position change, to nearly quitting football, he has fought his way to the doorstep of the NFL. Now, the once-forgotten high school quarterback is poised to hear his name called on draft night.
As Demetrius Knight prepares for the biggest moment of his career, one thing is clear—his journey is far from over.
