Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP
Size:
Height: 6’0.5”
Weight: 233 pounds
Arm Length: 32 1/2"
Hand Size: 9 1/4"
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-Conference USA (2022) • All-Conference USA Honorable Mention (2021)
“Tyrice Knight is an instinctive run defender who has the pursuit ability to also earn snaps as a core special teamer.”
Strengths:
Instincts vs. run
Burst
Concerns:
Stack/shed
Coverage
Athleticism
Technique
Play strength
Film Analysis:
Tyrice Knight was an every-down second-level defender for the Miners. Against the run, Knight is quick to ID and pursue downhill, often meeting ball-carriers at or near the line of scrimmage. He trusts his eyes on every read. Can get washed out of the play quickly, however, due to a lack of technique and play strength to take on free blockers. Sure tackler who showcases excellent form tackling.
Knight has good acceleration and burst to pursue in the fringe areas but does not arrive at contact with a ton of pop. Best when working inside the tackles through the A and B-gaps. Reads are undisciplined at times—Knight will quickly attempt to blow up a play but is often found chasing. He’s quick to work downhill, but more patience laterally gap-to-gap would present fewer flash plays but more consistency in countering inside concepts. Stacking and shedding needs refinement.
In coverage, Knight showcases comfortability in zone, but asking him to work isolated in man would be rich at this point in his evaluation. Can struggle against faster athletes across his face. Multiple pass break-ups in each of the last three seasons. Refinement is needed in flipping and running, as well as dominating the contact point when aligned near the line of scrimmage.
Overall, Knight is an instinctive run defender who has the pursuit ability to also earn snaps as a core special teamer.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific
Exposures: Northwestern (2023), Liberty (2023), Oklahoma (2022)
