Terrance Knighton

Last updated

Terrance Knighton
Terrance Knighton.JPG
Knighton with the Denver Broncos in 2013
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Position:Defensive line coach
Personal information
Born: (1986-07-04) July 4, 1986 (age 38)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:355 lb (161 kg)
Career information
High school: Windsor (CT)
College: Temple
NFL draft: 2009  / Round: 3 / Pick: 72
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:230
Sacks:14.0
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:2
Player stats at PFR

Terrance O'Neil Knighton (born July 4, 1986) is an American football coach and former defensive tackle. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft after playing college football at Temple. Knighton is nicknamed "Pot Roast" and "Mutton Chop" by his teammates. He has also played for the Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins and spent time with the New England Patriots prior to the 2016 NFL season.

Contents

Early life

Knighton attended Windsor High School in Connecticut, where he played both tight end and defensive line, and was teammates with Chris Baker. He earned All-State honors from the coaches association and Hartford Courant All-Area accolades in 2003. He was also a basketball varsity member, earning All-CCC West League honors.

In 2004, he attended Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York, where he again played on both sides of the ball. He made 70 tackles and six sacks in 2004.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com , Knighton chose Temple University after being denied admission to UCF, the only two scholarship offers he received. [1]

College career

As a true freshman at Temple, Knighton played in 10 games as a reserve before earning a start in the season finale at Navy. For the year, he registered 17 tackles (10 solo), 3.5 TFLs and one forced fumble.

Knighton became a regular starter as a sophomore, and made 57 tackles (32 solo), 6.5 TFLs, three sacks, two FFs, two QBHs and four PBUs over the season. As a junior, he finished the season with 8.5 TFL and a team-best three fumble recoveries.

A team captain as a senior in 2008, Knighton finished the season with 54 tackles, including 35 solos, five break-ups, a team-best three fumble recoveries, a hurry, and blocked kick, and a sack. He became Temple's first First Team All-MAC honoree in school history.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Despite an up-and-down career, Knighton's draft stock had risen quickly after strong workouts.

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 3+18 in
(1.91 m)
321 lb
(146 kg)
5.22 s1.76 s2.93 s4.78 s7.91 s28 in
(0.71 m)
8 ft 7 in
(2.62 m)
X X
All values from NFL Combine [2]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Knighton was selected in the third round (72nd overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars, which was considered a "gamble" or a "reach" by most commentators. [3] [2] [4] Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline described Knighton as "an athletic defensive tackle who struggles with weight issue", and who "has too much downside for a mid-third-round choice". [5]

Knighton was signed by the Jaguars to a four-year contract on July 31, 2009. His contract, which includes veteran minimum salaries, plus a fourth-year escalator to $1.3 million, could reach nearly $3.32 million. He also received a signing bonus of $843,500. [6] At the end of the 2009 season, Coach Jack Del Rio said, "Terrance Knighton is going to be a real good player. It wasn't an accident before the game that he was made a team captain for the game. I'm counting on him to lead the way." [7] Knighton's career was placed in jeopardy by a serious injury to his eyeball in a bar incident on April 8, 2012. [8] Knighton was able to recover from the incident however, and returned to the field wearing a dark visor at all times.

On November 16, 2012, Knighton was fined $21,000 for a late hit against the Indianapolis Colts on Week 10. [9]

He became a free agent after the 2012 season.

Denver Broncos

On March 13, 2013, Knighton was signed to two-year contract by the Denver Broncos, [10] where his former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio was the defensive coordinator at that time. In his first season with Denver, Knighton recorded 31 tackles, 3 sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception. In the AFC Championship Game, Knighton sacked Tom Brady on a crucial 4th down. His efforts helped the Broncos enter Super Bowl XLVIII, their first Super Bowl in almost 15 years, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8. [11]

When the Broncos signed DeMarcus Ware in March 2014, Knighton changed his jersey number from 94 to 98 in order for Ware to have it. Ware previously wore number 94 for nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

Washington Redskins

On March 12, 2015, Knighton signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Washington Redskins. [12] He played in 15 games for the Redskins in 2015. [13]

New England Patriots

On March 31, 2016, Knighton signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the New England Patriots. [14] Knighton was released on August 29, 2016. [15]

Retirement

On April 12, 2017, Knighton announced his retirement from the NFL to pursue a career in coaching. [16]

NFL awards and honors

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2009 JAX 16164534111.56000011100
2010 JAX 16163424104.051-30-340000
2011 JAX 13132917120.04000000000
2012 JAX 1643220122.05000022000
2013 DEN 16163118133.051202101130
2014 DEN 16163018122.04000030000
2015 WAS 15152917121.55000000000
108962301488214.0342-1021132130

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2013 DEN 33121021.03000000000
2014 DEN 113120.00000000000
2015 WAS 111100.01000000000
55161241.04000000000

Coaching career

Knighton joined the coaching staff at Wagner in 2019 as defensive line coach. [20] [21] He joined the Carolina Panthers coaching staff as a coaching assistant in 2021. [22]

On November 29, 2022, Knighton left the Panthers to join Matt Rhule's coaching staff at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as the new defensive line coach. [23]

Personal life

Knighton earned the nickname Pot Roast when former Jaguars linebacker Clint Ingram overheard Knighton's meal order on a road trip. [24] He has been childhood friends with Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Baker since high school, where the two of them were teammates. [25] The two would be teammates again for one season in their professional careers when Knighton signed with the Redskins in 2015. Knighton also served as Baker's best man in his wedding to ESPN talent producer, Jamila Phillips. [26]

In 2009, he visited the NFL-YET center in Jacksonville with teammates Cecil Newton and Julius Williams to sign autographs and provide Thanksgiving dinner for 30 families. [27]

Knighton suffered an eye injury during a late night incident at a Jacksonville nightclub. [8] He temporarily lost vision and required surgery to remove a cataract that formed for protection. His vision slowly returned. [28]

Knighton appeared in a series of commercials for Bridgestone tires, including "Empty Fridge" [29] and "Treadmill." [30]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Del Rio</span> American football player and coach (born 1963)

Jack Louis Del Rio Jr. is an American football coach and a former professional linebacker. He played college football as a linebacker at the University of Southern California before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1985 NFL draft. He also played for four other NFL teams before retiring in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Dawkins</span> American football player (born 1973)

Brian Patrick Dawkins Sr., nicknamed "Weapon X", is an American former football safety who played for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. In his last three seasons, he played for the Denver Broncos.

Byron Keith Traylor is a former American football nose tackle who played 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Central Oklahoma. Traylor has won a total of three Super Bowl rings; he won two with the Denver Broncos and one with the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Babin</span> American football player (born 1980)

Jason Thomas Babin is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Western Michigan, where he was twice recognized as the conference defensive player of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Posluszny</span> American football player (born 1984)

Paul Michael Posluszny is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning consensus All-American honors twice, and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. After four years in Buffalo, Posluszny spent the remainder of his career with the Jaguars and earned Pro Bowl honors during the 2013 season. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Marco Darnell Coleman is an American football coach and former player who is the defensive line coach for Georgia Tech and former assistant defensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). A former American football defensive end, the fourteen-year veteran originally was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1992 NFL Draft as a first round pick. He played at Georgia Tech and won the 1990 college football national championship and went to one Pro Bowl before retiring from professional football after the 2005 season.

Jimmy Wayne Kennedy is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams 12th overall in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Kennedy was also a member of the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants. He won Super Bowl XLVI with the Giants against the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Clemons (defensive end)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Christopher Clemons is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, and signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Clemons also played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Crowder</span> American football player (born 1985)

Timothy C. Crowder is a former American football defensive end. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyson Alualu</span> American football player (born 1987)

Tyson Asi Alualu is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for the California Golden Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Harvey</span> American football player (born 1986)

Derrick Harvey is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Florida, and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, and also played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Ayers</span> American football player (born 1985)

Robert Ayers is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for 10 years in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jurrell Casey</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jurrell Juel Casey is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Love</span> American football player (born 1986)

Kyle William Love is a former American football nose tackle. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Love also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Mississippi State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malik Jackson (defensive lineman)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Malik Barron Jackson is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Jackson was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Marshall (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Brandon Markeith Marshall is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, out of the University of Nevada, Reno.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timmy Jernigan</span> American football player (born 1992)

Timothy Lenord Jernigan Jr. is a former American football defensive tackle. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Florida State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Bouye</span> American football player (born 1991)

Arlandus Jacob Bouye is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCF Knights, and was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Bouye also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angelo Blackson</span> American football player (born 1992)

Angelo Sierre Blackson is an American football defensive end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also played in the NFL for the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Gotsis</span> Australian American football player (born 1992)

Adam Gotsis is an Australian professional American football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Tech and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

References

  1. Schmadtke, Alan (January 7, 2005). "Bernhardt Gets New Ucf Duties". Orlando Sentinel .
  2. 1 2 "Pro Football War Room: Terrance Knighton". SportingNews.com. April 30, 2009.
  3. "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  4. Rang, Rob (June 21, 2009). "Diamonds in the rough: D rookies on faster track". NFLDraftScout.com.
  5. Pauline, Tony (April 26, 2009). "Steals and reaches from the 2009 NFL draft". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012.
  6. Wright, Michael C. (August 1, 2009). "Knighton signs with Jaguars; Monroe and Britton unsigned". Florida Times-Union.
  7. Stellino, Vito (January 3, 2010). "Garrard: This is "a bad taste we have to live with"". jacksonville.com. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Jaguars defensive tackle Terrance Knighton undergoes surgery to repair eye injury". jacksonville.com. April 8, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  9. "Fines roundup: Tim Dobbins of Texans fined for Jay Cutler hit". National Football League . November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  10. "Terrance Knighton signs with Denver Broncos". Nfl.com. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  11. "Super Bowl XLVIII - Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos - February 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  12. Wesseling, Chris. "Terrance Knighton set to sign with Redskins". NFL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  13. "Terrance Knighton Stats".
  14. Hanzus, Dan (March 31, 2016). "Terrance Knighton signing one-year deal with Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  15. Reiss, Mike. "Why it didn't work out for Terrance Knighton with Patriots". ESPN. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  16. Wesseling, Chris (April 13, 2017). "Terrance 'Pot Roast' Knighton says he's retiring". NFL.com.
  17. "2009 All-Rookie Team". Footballsfuture.com. September 28, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  18. "Receivers, 'backers stand out on All-Rookie team". ProFootballWeekly.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  19. "2009 NFL All-Rookie Team - NFL". Sporting News. January 14, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  20. "Wagner Tabs Former NFL Player Terrance Knighton As Assistant Football Coach". SiLive.com. January 3, 2018.
  21. "Wagner Tabs Former NFL Player Terrance Knighton As Assistant Coach". Northeast Conference. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  22. "Panthers promote Frank Okam to DL coach, hire Terrance Knighton as assistant". NBC Sports. February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  23. "Terrance Knighton, Corey Campbell leaving Panthers to join Matt Rhule at Nebraska". nbcsports.com. November 30, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  24. "Pot Roast looks back - Jaguars news on". Jaguars.com. January 21, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  25. Herting, Chris (March 22, 2013). "Friends' Pact Turns Dream Come True". Redskins.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  26. Robertson, Erin (March 16, 2015). "Redskins lineman Chris Baker weds ESPN's Jamila Phillips at the W Hotel". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  27. "Jaguars in the Community". jacksonville.com. November 24, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  28. Fox Sports. "Florida | FOX Sports on MSN". Foxsportsflorida.com. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  29. "Bridgestone: Empty Fridge". ispot.tv. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  30. "Bridgestone: Treadmill". ispot.tv. Retrieved November 16, 2014.