Demetrius Knight’s transition from near-SEC quarterback to a potential NFL Draft pick as a linebacker

Report on a rising star in college football who’s on the verge of making history. Demetrius Knight, a linebacker for the South Carolina Gamecocks, may have only spent one season in Columbia, but his impact was undeniable. With an honorable mention All-SEC season, Knight became a pivotal leader for USC’s defense, most notably sealing the victory over their fierce rivals, the Clemson Tigers, with a crucial interception.

This April, Knight is virtually assured of being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’2” and weighing in at 245 pounds, he boasts a combination of size and athleticism that makes him one of the most intriguing off-ball linebackers in this year’s draft. But his journey to this point has been far from conventional.

SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic has called Knight “The Most Interesting Man in the SEC,” and recently had him on his Cube Show podcast to dive deeper into his remarkable path. For those not familiar with Knight’s story, it’s essential to note that he didn’t always play linebacker. In fact, during his high school days, the Georgia native was the starting triple-option quarterback at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, Georgia. Knight explained, “I played zero linebacker, not a snap…just playing [quarterback] in the triple option, I was letting my legs do the majority of the work.” His athleticism on the field certainly made him a dynamic quarterback, and watching him now as a linebacker, you can still see traces of that agility and speed.

Recruited as a quarterback, Knight caught the attention of several major programs, with Tennessee being one of his top choices. “Tennessee, that actually was going to be my landing place,” Knight shared, explaining that he had a strong connection with head coach Butch Jones—until the program fired Jones the week of his official visit. With his future at Tennessee uncertain, Knight eventually committed to Georgia Tech, his hometown school. However, shortly before his arrival, Paul Johnson, the Yellow Jackets’ head coach, retired. As a result, Knight’s scholarship was honored, but there wasn’t a place for him at quarterback. Instead, under new head coach Geoff Collins, Knight found himself making the switch to linebacker.

That shift was far from easy, and Knight admitted that there were moments when he almost walked away from football entirely. “My Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ…my mom as well…and my strength coaches,” he says, crediting these sources of support for keeping him in the game. Though he spent four years at Georgia Tech as a reserve player, Knight’s versatility on special teams and occasional flashes of potential kept his hopes alive.

A game-changing decision came when Knight entered the transfer portal. Initially, he thought he might end up at Florida, but after that fell through, he wound up at Charlotte. His time with the 49ers proved to be a breakout success, as he earned All-Conference honors in the American Athletic Conference. To support his family, Knight and his wife even worked for DoorDash during this time.

Eventually, Knight made the move back to a Power Five program for his final college season, choosing South Carolina. The Gamecocks prioritized him during the recruitment process, and according to a previous conversation with GamecockCentral, Knight immediately connected with the program.

Despite being somewhat overshadowed by teammates like Kyle Kennard, Nick Emmanwori, and Dylan Stewart, Knight became a standout for USC, finishing second on the team with 82 tackles. His unique combination of size and speed—clocking in at just under 22 miles per hour—made him a force to be reckoned with on the field.

Now, Knight is gaining attention in the NFL Draft world, with most analysts projecting him to be picked in the third, fourth, or fifth round. However, PFF recently gave Knight a first-round grade, and some top analysts, including Mel Kiper of ESPN, have him pegged for a second-round selection.

Knight is one of 11 Gamecocks (or 12 if you count specialist Kai Kroeger) invited to the NFL Combine. Given his impressive athleticism and strong showing this season, his stock is expected to rise even further leading up to the draft in April.

When Knight is selected, he will be the first Gamecock linebacker drafted since Ernest Jones in 2021. If he manages to crack the first round, he will become the first full-time USC linebacker to reach that milestone. Stay tuned—Knight’s journey is just beginning.