Even though he’s from a Group of Five program, UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight is an NFL prospect because of the way he can influence games.
In a matchup against Northwestern this past season, the Wildcats had the ball around midfield on second-and-8 early in the second quarter. Right after Northwestern snapped the ball, Knight spotted a path to the quarterback and didn’t hesitate.
The play lasted just four seconds before Knight had Northwestern’s quarterback on the ground for a sack. Those are the types of plays he’s capable of making in the NFL.
“The best advice I’ve gotten is it doesn’t matter what school you’re at,” Knight said at the NFL Combine. “If you put the right stuff on tape, the scouts will find you and you better reach for your dreams. You’ve just got to perform.”
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Where Did Tyrice Knight Get Drafted?
Knight was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 118th overall pick.
“Coming from UTEP,” Knight said, “I showed everybody that no matter what school you come from, you put on the tape and show scouts what you can do, they’ll find you wherever you’re at.”
What Was Tyrice Knight’s 40 Time?
Knight was eighth among linebackers in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a time of 4.63 seconds.
He tied for seventh in both the broad jump (9 feet, 11 inches) and the vertical jump (34.5 inches). He tied for the most bench press reps at his position group with 21 reps and was third in the three-cone drill (7.25 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.4 seconds).
That means, at 6-feet and 1/2 inch tall and 233 pounds, he was in the top eight for every measurable drill at the combine.
“I”m really just thankful that I’m here, and overall, I’m just happy that I’m here to showcase my abilities,” Knight said, “and show I can still compete with every linebacker here. I’m a team-first guy. I’m hard working. I treat every practice like it’s a game. I’m dependable. I’m reliable.”
Tyrice Knight’s Stats And Highlights
Knight was a first-team Group of Five All-American in 2023 after a stellar campaign.
Knight tied for fifth in the country with 140 total tackles and was second with 84 solo tackles. He added 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and seven pass breakups.
And then Knight also competed well at the Senior Bowl, showing he’s capable of going up against some of the top players in the FBS.
In 2022, he racked up 95 tackles, 9.5 for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and five pass breakups en route to making the All-CUSA second team.
The season before, he was on the all-conference honorable mention list after totaling 102 tackles, nine TFLs, two sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2020, a season in which he made six starts, Knight was second on the team with 54 tackles while chipping in 2.5 TFLs and a sack.
“It was good. Small school, but it was a great opportunity,” Knight said of his collegiate experience. “We played a lot of good talent. There’s talent everywhere, no matter what conference you’re at, so really I felt like it was a good opportunity and I really took advantage of everything that came my way. I’m happy I went to UTEP.”
Tyrice Knight’s NFL Comparison And Draft Profile
I project Knight’s playing style in the NFL will be similar to Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers. Knight said he tries to emulate Warner’s game, as he makes his presence known in running and passing situations.
Knight has good fundamentals. He sticks to his responsibilities and doesn’t get caught out of position often.
He’s also intelligent. He knows where plays are going ahead of time and reacts accordingly. He takes on blocks and flows to the ball well.
As evidenced by his NFL Combine performance, Knight is incredibly athletic and can chase down ball carriers in the open field.
In Pro Football Focus’ grades of linebackers in this year’s draft class who played at least 200 snaps, Knight ranked ninth. He also was in the top 25 for run defense, tackling, and pass rushing.
He was first in the country with 75 defensive stops which were constituted as failures for the offense. In coverage, he allowed 21 catches on 32 targets for 255 yards and one touchdown.
Whether playing as a middle linebacker or on the weak side – versatility is another strength of his – Knight can make impact plays from anywhere. He feels he should be on the field for all three downs at the pro level.
“I feel like I put the work in,” Knight said. “I showed everybody I deserve to be here.”
