Demetrius Knight Is A Tackler
March 25th, 2025
South Carolina ILB Demetrius Knight.
OK, so, Joe is open-minded about this Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
Joe was fully driving the Campbell bandwagon until learning he had shoulder surgery just after the combine for a mysterious injury that may require eight months of rehab.
That means he may not get on the field until October, missing all offseason workouts, rookie camp, minicamp, underwear football and training camp.
So basically his rookie season could be a wash.
And if the Bucs are really going to try to make a Super Bowl run, which it sure looks like they are planning, wouldn’t you want your first-round pick being a major contributor?
So let’s say Campbell’s shoulder surgery scares off the Bucs. What then? Clearly they have a need at inside linebacker. Would this Demetrius Knight of South Carolina get the job done?
It seems Knight isn’t great in pass coverage. That’s where the Bucs need help. But one big thing got Knight on Joe’s radar:
The former high school quarterback had the second-lowest missed tackle rate of all SEC linebackers in his one and only season in the SEC after transferring from UNC-Charlotte. If you can play linebacker in the SEC, you can play in the NFL. And if Knight doesn’t miss tackles, that sounds like a linebacker Joe wants.
It appears the third round is the ceiling for Knight. Do the Bucs want to bank on a third-round pick to save the defense at linebacker?
https://twitter.com/ZachHicks2/status/1903847757615345860
March 25th, 2025 at 10:42 am
I have read several scouting reports that praise his coverage ability and athleticism. I like him for our 2nd round pick unless an elite CB falls to us.
March 25th, 2025 at 10:45 am
@JeebsTheHoneyBear
I thought he struggled in coverage. Unless I’m thinking of the other LB coming out of there.
March 25th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Ezeriraku edge
Revel CB
Knight Jr. ILB
Dream start to the draft imo. At least for positions… maybe change the names of the players if there are better.
March 25th, 2025 at 10:56 am
There are no shoulder injuries that will require eight months of rehab of a 20 year old. My wife had her shoulder REPLACED and went on to win her IFBB pro card eight months later. I had six tears in my shoulder (two rotator, two labrum, biceps, etc) and I’m almost at six months WITHOUT surgery and almost back to 100%… and before anybody wants to judge, I had freakish top of the NFL strength BEFORE the injury. You guys need to familiarize yourselves with injuries and the rehab time required of them.
March 25th, 2025 at 11:16 am
Don’t let him be a KJ Britt imitation can’t cover in space, but he can tackle, but he can thump. Don’t really care about thumpers. I need somebody that can cover somebody coming out of the backfield and or smack the quarterback or running back hard as heck.
March 25th, 2025 at 11:27 am
Joe’s.. I love your sight.
Your independence to be real rather than me a marketing dept has really paid off.
Your sight is real and lively.
Thank you for your superior and enjoyable coverage of our Buccos
March 25th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Why can’t we just rely on Brandon’s freakish top of the NFL strength at LB?
March 25th, 2025 at 11:42 am
The safety from S. Carolina – N. Emmanwori is an interesting prospect.
He is one of the best athletes in this draft – RAS = 10.0… He is 6’3″ – 227 lbs.
I believe he has the size to play ILB on passing downs and SS on expected run downs.
I would prefer him over selecting Campbell at #19 and Knight in the 2nd round.
March 25th, 2025 at 11:43 am
There’s always going to be hidden value outside of round one.
Largely the round one talent is just there due to hype. Few live up to that draft slot.
I would go CB in the first round no matter what.
Then look at LB, DE, or S.
All defense the first four picks unless a superior Offensive player falls to us.
March 25th, 2025 at 11:47 am
Brandon–
First, what we don’t know on you, your wife, or Campbell is whether the labrum tears are type 1, 2, 3 or 4. I think that is where one should start when comparing recovery time lines.
But as Bucs fans, we have Noah Spence in our history.
Noah Spence dropped from a 1st round possible top 10 pick to a 2nd round pick for the Bucs.
We were all happy and he had 5.5 sacks in his rookie season.
We know he had a shoulder injury and it was a torn labrum — the same thing they are talking about with Campbell.
Spence had that surgery in mid January. He was not ready for the start of training camp. But he was ready for the 1st regular season game.
Presumably with better care (being a professional athlete) than you or your wife got for his rehab.
Well, Spence reinjured the shoulder in the 1st couple of games of his 2nd season. Later on he said that the restressing of his labrum occurred during his extensions when trying to tackle running backs. I think Sppen
Now, there are certainly stories of NFL players recovering in 8 months or less — so your hypothesis that Campbell might be back before 8 months might be true.
Us Bucs fans though have shared a different experience.
Search the Joe Bucs archives on Spences 2nd shoulder surgery and how hopeful he was:
“The Full Surgery”
July 29th, 2018
March 25th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Brandon… I keep thinking the same thing when I hear about Campbell’s surgery. He’s young, an athlete and since he’s an NFL top prospect, I’m guessing he had a very good surgeon do his shoulder… probably earlier this month sometime just after the combine. He should be back in time for regular camp and would be able to do walkthroughs at rookie camp and all the other camps to get the knowledge in. These days, they don’t actually get physical in doing hitting until mid August anyhow.
I’d risk it to get a linebacker of his caliber now that we have Walker. If we wouldn’t have signed a Walker, I would be a little more paranoid.
March 25th, 2025 at 11:58 am
No off-ball LB’s with the 1st pick. WR or Edge. Bucs biggest needs.
March 25th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I think it gonna be DE or S in the 1st, CB in the 2nd and ILB or WR in the 3rd. Fill the holes not drafted already and BPA last 3 on day 3.
3rd ILB Knight if gone take Bassa.
March 25th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
In my post above, I’m not saying we draft Campbell if he’s available and rush him through recovery. I’m just saying it’s worth the risk since our inside linebacker room is much better than it was at the end of the season. I know that Dennis had his surgery way earlier and should be ready to go and now we have Walker, so Campbell would upgrade the room tremendously.
That being said, Knight would upgrade the room tremendously as well. He may even end up being the better linebacker, you just never know. I would be happy with either player in the Bucs ILB room when it’s all said and done.
March 25th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
I’ve had a labrum tear, and two torn cuffs. The labrum takes the longest because it’s made of carthledge. It just takes a certain amount of time no matter what shape you’re in. That said, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t ready for camp.
March 25th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Oh trust me, I like Knight too (Carolina boy here) but I think he’s a late 3rd early 4th. If we Emman this, he can play LB too….but dont do a story on him, shhhhhh. We didnt even interview him, so its not happening. lol
March 25th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Marine Buc, I think I saw Emmanwori going to the Bucs in one of the TV talking heads mock draft.
March 25th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
He’s one guy in this draft that I’m definitely targeting for the Bucs.
I’d be comfortable taking him in the 2nd round if either A) they trade down slightly in the 1st round and add a 2nd -4th round pick, or B) they trade down in the 2nd and gain mid-round flexibility.
March 25th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Campbell’s injury changes things; leaning CB in Rd 1, or Edge.
David coming pack and Dennis’s play when healthy softens the press for LB with our top pick.
Likely a trade in this draft to nail a certain player at position of need in upper range of a round; not the best range where our picks fall in each round along with targeted positions. CB or Edge looking best with first two picks. Wouldn’t be surprised if JL trades up or down in top rounds
March 25th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
Joe’s own in-house ‘draft guru’ Sean Sullivan said on his podcast that Knight is not a very good fit for the Bucs because he lacks pass rushing skills… so there’s that….
Well done. –Joe
March 25th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
I’m getting anywhere from 4-8 months recovery time for Campbell’s surgery.
It depends on the severity of the labrum tear and exactly what was done to repair it.
Instead of amateurs giving us an estimated recovery time, why not track down the doctor who did the procedure and get it straight from the proverbial horse’s mouth?
March 25th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
If dude isn’t good in pass coverage he’ll fit like a hand in a glove in this pass defense.
March 25th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
We signed walker. That has me thinking that him and SVD are penciled in next to LVD. We still draft Campbell for the future and let him recover and ease him in when the time is ready. Campbell and SVD are prob the future. Now if SVD can’t stay healthy even this year then you got walker and maybe eventually Campbell. Then drafting another LB next year. Just a amateur here thinking lol
March 25th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
Emmanwori or Green should be available-either one helps D right now and that is what we need.
March 25th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Schwesinger out of UCLA can and is a tackling machine and can cover. I’d take him over Campbell out of Alabama and certainly over Knight.
March 25th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
@ Cardiac
The only thing I don’t like about Schwesinger is the high number of missed tackles…
15 missed tackles in 2024. Most of all the ILBs that will probably be drafted.
March 25th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Nervous about drafting a lb too high, even jihad at 19. some teams are going to override bpa strategy and reach for need and draft a lb too early. I dont think many of these lbs are worth a 3rd rnd pick. I would rather take lb 5th or 7th and bring in priority free agents. Emmanwori does intrigue me at 19 and would be an exception as possibly a lb or jack of all trades safety. I would rather get 2 bad asses at dl and edge that are definite bpa over a lb at that draft round. I think the dl needs logan hall as a rotational player. Give me a bigger Kancey that can play all 3 techs that is clearly more impactful than hall.
March 25th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
meant to say dls, edge, cbs and wr that have a better bpa than lbs at any particular draft round. Dont take an lb as need over a better player at these positions.
March 25th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
I like the Paul kid from Ole Miss…
March 25th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
@ Cobra
Same here.
Paul would be a great pick in round #3…
March 25th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
Marine Buc,
Emmanwori will be a perennial All Pro. Rarely do we see this combination of speed and size at safety. Pretty sure Licht will grab him if he is miraculously there at 19. He is a better pick than Campbell regardless of health. Just do it.
March 25th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Licht said beautifully that the Bucs just need to pick the right players. I like Knight a lot outside of the missed tackles. Middle linebackers are some of the hardest to evaluate in pass coverage ability because often their job is to more or less just stand there in zone taking away a passing lane. Knight seems excellent in zone. It seems he is patient, processes like the former QB he is and reacts quickly and decisively but struggles in man against backs and tight ends which all but knocks him off my list for the Bucs. The right ILB for the Bucs will be able to carry vertical threats with comfort as well as stay with all but the shiftiest RBs and TEs. Jeffery Bassa can do that and line up on the outside and get after the quarterback better than Knight so he is my guy. He is a converted safety and born leader that I hope is there at pick 84 but he’ll probably be gone which is why I will continue to stump for Teddye Buchanan in the fourth.
The Bucs don’t just need CBs with the skills to play man they need LBs who have them too. I like Deion Jones to start Week one with David with Dennis and David’s disciple behind them so all I really feel the Bucs need to do is get themselves a difference making dime linebacker. If it could be Bassa in time he could be as good as a replacement for David as the Bucs can find. The Bucs ILBs failed so obviously in coverage in 2024 except for Deion Jones. I rewatched the playoff loss and he still has all the juice he had back in his Atlanta days and was leading the league in PBUs for his position. He was the hero of the first goal line stand and he is only 30 so I don’t see ILB as a screaming need that demands a high pick. Just pick the right guy. A guy who can cover please and thank you.
March 25th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Too bad we didn’t draft Peyton wilson last year
March 25th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Last I checked, Auburn was in the SEC, KJ Britt went to Auburn, and was first team all SEC… yet you didnt want him back?
March 25th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
@ Gipper
Agreed 100%.
Emmanwori is a very rare combo of size, athleticism and talent.
I believe he can play both SS and ILB depending on the situation…
March 25th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Well Joe…who was the first!?
March 25th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
We are lucky to have Jason running the draft and not us.
March 25th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Bottom line is we need a lot of players on defense at several different positions (ILB, OLB, corner and safety). They will take the best player available at one of these positions.
March 25th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
I like him but same here .. turned off by what draft guru Sean Sullivan said regarding pass rushing. And signing of Walker does help solidy depth at position. If Bucs can still land Campbell and come away with a top CB, nothing wrong with that .. He’d be ready once we need him to play more.
Not the best options in Rd 2 at LB in our range. Seems wout Jihad 3rd Round is where to draft one, as more of a developmental move.
Liking CB’s Revel Jr and Porter along with an Edge w top two picks, then LB lower. Strongly feel it’s key for Bucs to focus on most talented CB they can get before reaching for wrong LB when we have 3 strong on depth chart, weaker at CB. Think the Bucs go CB Rd 1 and again say in Rd 6
March 25th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
Knight is supposedly a Mike LB with explosive downhill quickness and pop but unimpressive lateral agility.
If he plays a deep in zone, he can impressively break downhill on the receiver. But, when a good receiver gets close to him, the receiver will get separation when the receiver makes a hard break or takes him deep enough that he has to turn to run with the receiver.
He would be a two down LB or need help in a lot of coverage situations.
Recovery time for Campbell certainly depends upon the extent of the tear, but eight months is generally for pitchers and quarterbacks who repeatedly put extreme stress on the labrum hurling the ball.
For a linebacker tackling in space, the key is driving home tackling technique – line up on your target and drive into them as you wrap them up. For a dto use speed to put
March 25th, 2025 at 9:27 pm
For a defensive lineman playing in a phone booth, they often have to reach out to the side. For a linebacker avoiding a repeat injury, he has to strike outside his body rather than grabbing and latching on where leverage can cause another tear.
Campbell offers something unique, and there just is not another LB in the draft this year or most years. 20 weeks is the NFL average recovery time before full contact for an ILB.
March 26th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
I broke my ring finger but still managed to get married two months later. Sometimes it’s best not to rush an injury.
March 27th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
Let’s not forget the job of a LB,it is to stop the run,disrupt the QB with zone coverages and pressure,also holding down lanes to prevent short passes down the middle and weak side of the field of play,and be aware of where TE is lined up. Knight does all these things. At SC he did what was asked of him(play zone) they rarely ran man coverage,again mostly zone so those of you who think he’s not good at one on one coverage youre opinion is not completely valid because they ran zone not man. However,he is one of the best tacklers in this draft and he’s very disciplined and patient and he can be because of his speed and football IQ. He does his job as a LB as should all position players. He’s not a CB he’s a LB. So many people fall to the hype of first round prospects but if you watch knight highlights you’ll see what an asset he will be to one’s NFL roster. It’s what he did on the field that should matter. Check it before you judge. Good luck to all prospects and a speedy recovery to Campbell.