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South Carolina football product Demetrius Knight earning first-team NFL reps as rookie with Cincinnati Bengals

by: Kevin Miller06/05/25kevinbmiller52
Demetrius Knight Jr.
Demetrius Knight Jr. (Katie Dugan/GamecockCentral)

South Carolina football linebacker Demetrius Knight spent just one year with the Gamecocks. However, that year was so good that the former Georgia Tech and Charlotte ‘backer earned second-round selection in this April’s NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals took Knight with the idea that he could become a major contributor sooner rather than later.

Apparently, the emphasis is on the “sooner.”

According to a report from Cincinnati’s Fox19’s Charlie Goldsmith, Knight is already earning first-team reps at practice with the Bengals. Said Goldsmith, “The coaches are also working rookie Demitrius Knight Jr. into [the] mix…This defense is giving a lot of opportunities to young players, and Knight has been thrown right in with the first team defense.”

Getting first-team reps at practice does not equate to a player being a starter. However, it’s a good sign for any rookie to make a strong enough impression to warrant major reps within weeks.

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This report is not surprising to those who watched Knight play at South Carolina. At 6-2 and 235 pounds, Knight has prototypical size for a modern linebacker. He can play sideline to sideline and has no problem getting after the quarterback. He also has the movement ability and coverage skills needed to play the position against NFL offenses. Knight’s character, natural leadership acumen, and other intangibles are off the charts.

Despite playing in a timeshare alongside Debo Williams, Bam Martin-Scott, and (for a time) Bangally Kamara, Knight was second on the 2024 Gamecocks in tackles (behind only All-American Nick Emmanwori). His 82 stops included eight tackles for loss and two sacks. Knight also made a huge play in coverage, picking off Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with a diving grab to seal South Carolina’s victory in the Palmetto Bowl.

For his efforts, Knight was named the team’s Most Outstanding Senior and was one of three defenders chosen as the Joe Morrison Defensive MVP award. Multiple outlets also named him an All-SEC performer.

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