The Cincinnati Bengals struck gold as their new linebacker is about the right mentality and has all the traits to add value to the team’s position. The 6’2″ linebacker was especially intriguing as a transplanted quarterback who had attended three schools in six years. During this time, he also married his partner and started a family.
As the Bengals interviewed him at the Senior Bowl, they could practically see why he was such a hit in his one year at South Carolina.
Demetrius Knight Jr. Chose Kids and Team — Not Excuse — in Citrus Bowl
“You don’t usually say this about the older guys in terms of upside, but I think he has more upside than most guys due to limited time on task, reps, and experience at the linebacker position. He will get better.” Mike Potts, the director of Cincinnati Bengals Recruiting, told the press when talking about Demetrius Knight Jr.
Moreover, he also assured the camp to stop overanalyzing this, as they have the right person. A recent tweet on the internet might just confirm Pott’s verdict.
Commitment to the game and playing for a higher cause is not new for Demetrius Knight Jr., as seen in a video shared by @NFL_DovKleiman.
When he was playing his final game in the Citrus Bowl, he was asked why he decided to play while he could have skipped it.
“Just to finish the right way, you know? Finish what you started. I have kids and don’t even want my daughter or my son to be like Oh, why didn’t he play in the last game? And i’m like ah….didn’t feel like it or felt like i would get injured….I don’t wanna give them an excuse,” Knight told them during Senior Bowl interviews.
“You know, [I] feel that they gotta finish the homework and feel tired… No, I wanted to show him to finish what you started. When you start, finish it.”
It is a message that speaks volumes about Knight’s mentality. The Cincinnati Bengals indeed have the right personality for their defense.
Demetrius Knight Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Hub: Scouting Report, Draft Projection, and More
Knight is a sideline-to-sideline physical linebacker. He will undoubtedly help continue to bolster the run defense.
There is indeed a higher purpose to why and how he plays. The linebacker shared a glimpse of his strength in college football.
“I believe it gives me an edge. I tell a lot of guys that’s my edge because I have a wife. My family is my life. They allow me to do what I do. I am not a guy that teams will have to babysit or hold hands with. I’m a guy they can put in there on Day 1,” Knight said.
Knight’s journey from being a DoorDash driver to the NFL is a story that will inspire a generation for years to come.
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