Summary

Demetrius Knight Jr. is a physical, experienced linebacker whose collegiate path included stops at Georgia Tech, Charlotte, and finally South Carolina. In his final season he emerged as a defensive leader, posting strong production in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. Daily Gamecock He was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, round 2, (pick 49) by the Bengals with an eye toward upgrading their linebacker play — particularly in run support and blitzing — and he brings a combination of toughness, instincts, and special-teams readiness.

Strengths

• Run-support ability / downhill mentality: Knight consistently shows up near the point of attack, stacks and sheds blockers effectively, and closes quickly on ball-carriers. NFL Draft Buzz

• Instincts & play recognition: He uses his eyes well, diagnoses blocking schemes and plays fast, which allows him to be disruptive both in run gaps and in delayed blitzes. Daily Gamecock

• Athleticism and closing speed: While not the fastest linebacker in the class, his straight-line speed and burst are above average for his size, helping him chase down plays from the second level. On Tap Sports Net

• Length, physical tools & tackle efficiency: Knight uses a good frame with strong tackle mechanics and was noted for limiting missed-tackle rate in college. madaboutcollegesports.com

• Maturity, leadership & special-teams readiness: A sixth-year player with a history of transfers and growth, Knight brings veteran presence and willingness to contribute on special teams early. Daily Gamecock

Weaknesses

• Coverage in space / change of direction: While good in zone drops and pursuing downhill, his hip flexibility, agility in space, and short-area change of direction are considered below the elite tier, which may limit his versatility in coverage heavy schemes. Last Word On Sports

• Man coverage upside & tape volume: There’s limited tape of him consistently handling elite athletic tight ends or receiving backs in man-to-man situations; his man coverage skill remains a question mark. Dallas Cowboys

• Age & development curve: As a sixth-year college player entering the NFL, he’s older than many rookies and may have less “upside” years ahead of him. NFL Draft Buzz

• Elite lateral agility / mirror skills: Scouts flagged that while he closes ground well, when asked to mirror or redirect quickly his movement can look stiff, and he may struggle when initially beat. On Tap Sports Net

• Specialization risk: Given his strengths skew toward run-fits and blitzing, some evaluators expect him to be a strong early-down/rotation player rather than an every-down three-down star unless his coverage continues to improve. SI

Fit & Outlook

Demetrius Knight Jr. projects as a high-floor, early-impact linebacker for the Bengals, especially in a defense that values physicality, run stopping, and blitzing from the second level. In the right scheme, he could earn significant playing time early, likely in sub-packages and on special teams, with a chance to grow into a full-time role if his coverage skills and open-space agility improve.

His combination of experience, size, and readiness makes him a safe bet to contribute sooner rather than later — though his ultimate ceiling may be somewhat capped compared to more pure athletic or coverage-specialist linebackers. If he continues to refine his technique, become more fluid in space, and stay healthy, he could become a dependable starter and one of the better values from his draft class.