After disappointing season, Miami RB Jaylan Knighton enters transfer portal
Miami RB Jaylan Knighton appeared to be a budding star last year. With Cam Harris going down injured, it was Knighton taking over the starting role. And he responded with with 561 rush yards in eight games with eight TDs, starting the final six. He added 20 catches for 280 yards and three TDs. A smaller, speedy back, he showed explosiveness in open space.
But a year made a big difference. He struggled as a backup this past season, and now has entered the transfer portal.
It was a rough development for the former 4-star prized recruit. Also keep in mind he was just a true freshman at Miami in 2021 (his 2020 first season didn’t count as a COVID year, and he had 209 rush yards starting two games that season).
This past season he was banged up early and worked behind Henry Parrish, who was brought in as a transfer by Kevin Smith, who coached him at Ole Miss. Knighton struggled with efficiency and also had some fumbling problems (3 lost fumbles). He ended the year with 423 rush yards and one TD and wasn’t a factor in the passing game with 82 receiving yards.
The writing was on the wall for Knighton with Parrish expected back plus the return to action off injury of star true freshman TreVonte’ Citizen, who many expected to win the starting job prior to his season-ending knee injury in the preseason.
What Parrish’s departure may mean, though, is that in addition to trying to find a running back in recruiting (Miami’s pursuing Mark Fletcher and Christopher Johnson hard right now), the team may also need to go to the transfer portal for more depth. Because along with Parrish and Citizen the only other scholarship back scheduled to return right now is Don Chaney.
