Cincinnati Bengals add hard-hitting Gamecock linebacker with pick No. 49 in 2025 NFL Draft

The Bengals drafted a tough, downhill linebacker from the South Carolina Gamecocks to add some punch to their defense.
South Carolina v Oklahoma
South Carolina v Oklahoma | Brian Bahr/GettyImages

South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. is officially taking his talents to the next level, joining the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2025 NFL Draft as the 49th pick.

Knight is known for his athleticism and relentlessness at South Carolina will now get his chance to showcase his skills in the AFC North. He is a dynamic defender who excelled in both pass coverage and run support as a Gamecock. Against the run, Knight's instincts shine bright with his elite radar senses, tracking the ball and arriving with nasty intentions. His speed should make him a valuable addition in the Bengals locker room.

Knight's journey from the SEC to the NFL is just the beginning, and the Bengals' defense just got a whole lot tougher with him in the mix.