The Vols will be looking for some bigger running backs in the 2019 class as Jeremy Pruitt and his staff work to bulk up Tennessee’s roster. And on Thursday, Tennessee sent out an offer to an electric play-maker at running back who fits the bill.
Zonovan Knight is a running back from Bailey, North Carolina, and he picked up an offer from the Vols on Thursday not even a week after he visited Tennessee’s campus for their Junior Day festivities.
Blessed to receive my 12th offer from the University of Tennessee‼ pic.twitter.com/pu5mgREZC3
— Zonovan Knight (@knight_zonovan) March 1, 2018
Knight adds the Vols’ offer to offers he already holds from schools like N.C. State, Duke, Louisville, Maryland, and others. He’s rated as a four-star running back and No. 299 overall player in the 2019 class per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He’s also the 20th-best running back and No. 12 player in the state of North Carolina by those rankings.
Knight is a very upright runner, but he is also very elusive. He has good body control and awareness of the field, and he’s hard to bring down. He has speed, but he won’t be the fastest guy on the field in college. But luckily for him, he has the agility and athleticism to help escape defenders in other ways. He hasn’t been used much as a receiver for Southern Nash High School because they don’t throw the ball much, but he has the type of build and athleticism to be an effective one in college.
In two years of extensive playing time in high school, Knight has racked up some huge numbers. Last season, Knight totaled 1,877 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on just 142 carries. according to Max Preps. That’s a 13.2 yard per carry average. In his 27 career games in high school, Knight has run for 3,019 yards and 45 touchdowns on just 281 attempts, giving him a 10.7 yard per carry average. He’s also returned a kickoff for a touchdown for two straight seasons and has three career receiving touchdowns, giving him 50 total touchdowns in 27 career games.
It’s clear that Knight is the main offensive weapon for Southern Nash, but numbers like that are extremely impressive no matter what school you play for. And the 6-foot, 190 pound back has the athleticism that can’t be taught.
The Vols will need to add a running back or two in their 2019 class, and Knight could be one of those backs. Keep an eye on his recruitment.
