Zonovan Knight NFL Draft Profile
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Zonovan Knight Scouting ReportZonovan has outstanding vision. He is incredibly patient runner. He waits to identify open lanes then bursts through them. He spots opportunities to extend run through downfield lanes and routinely acts on these. Knight has impressive acceleration and lateral agility. He can redirect effortlessly to extend plays. He successfully uses his quickness to get around the edge and into the open field, and run between the tackles he gets skinny then explodes with violent power. Knight has many weapons in his armory as a result of his athletic profile. Knight has demonstrated spin moves, jump cuts, and stiff arms on multiple occasions. He is tough to bring down. One of the critical areas for analyzing NFL Draft prospects at the running back position is contact balance, and Knight’s balance is impressive. He ranked as a top-five back in college football for missed tackles last season, and his tape is littered with examples of him making a man miss. It usually takes multiple players to stop the NC State RB in his tracks. |
Areas for ImprovementZonovan isn’t routinely utilized as a receiver, although he displays pass-catching prowess and awareness of route running. His usage in the running game is ultimately out of his hands, demonstrating consistent ability in this regard will improve his NFL Draft stock. He displays effort in pass protection, but he’ll need to improve his efficiency and technique to elevate his stock further. Knight is coming off shoulder surgery, which will require further investigation by NFL teams. However, it hasn’t seemed to cause him any issue in the first two games of the college football season. |
Zonovan Knight Career at NC StateBAM! While some true freshmen take a minute to get adjusted to the pace of college football, the new NC State RB made an immediate impact. Knight found the end zone on the first carry of his college career against East Carolina. In just his second game, he rushed for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns against Western Carolina. Despite splitting time in the backfield with Jordan Houston and Ricky Person Jr., Knight led the team in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and flashed his explosive playmaking ability with the team’s longest run play of the year with a 53-yard score against Louisville. Knight led the team in rushing yards again in his sophomore season. Knight’s 25 rushing plays of over 10 yards was also a team-high mark. He earned the Ted Brown Award as the NC State Offensive Back of the Year for the second consecutive season. |
Zonovan Knight NFL Draft Player ProfileKnight became only the fourth player in program history to return a kickoff 100 yards while scoring a touchdown against Miami. Despite emerging as one of the most dynamic running backs in the nation even before the 2022 NFL Draft cycle, Knight wasn’t satisfied. After setting rushing totals of 745 and 788 yards in his first two seasons, the NC State RB wants to crack 1,000 yards during the 2021 college football season. Knight opened up the campaign in impressive style in a pivotal season for his NFL Draft stock with 163 yards and a score against USF. BAM! While tougher tests are sure to come, Knight has the opportunity to elevate his NFL Draft stock this season. The NC State RB has a tremendous offensive line, including highly regarded prospect Ikem Ekwonu, to run behind in addition to his alluring skill set. While a return to the first round for an NC State RB is unlikely, emulating Nyheim Hines’ fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft should be achievable. |
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