2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaylan Knighton, RB, SMU

Jaylan Knighton is a relentless physical runner who transferred to SMU from Miami this season. Hula Bowl scout PJ Hardaway breaks down Knighton as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Jaylan Knighton #4
School (Code)	TXMU/SMU (FLMI/Miami)
Class Yr	4th year Senior (TR)
Height, Weight	5100-185e
40 Yd Dash	4.50e
Position/Depth	RB-Starter
Honors/Captainship	None
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	Georgia State, Clemson, Pitt
Scout Name / Date	Paul “PJ” Hardaway, 10/8/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	4 GP/ 51 Attempts, 332 Yds, 6.5 Avg, 2 Tds, 7 Rec, 41 Yds, 0 Tds, 5.9 Avg, 58 Plays, 373 Yds, 6.4 Avg, 2 TD
2022	10 GP/ 78 Attempts, 423 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 1 Tds, 9 Rec, 82 Yds, 0 Tds, 9.1 Avg, 87 Plays, 505 Yds, 5.8 Avg, 1 TD
2021	8 GP/ 145 Attempts, 561 Yds, 3.9 Avg, 8 Tds, 20 Rec, 280 Yds, 3 Tds, 14.0 Avg, 165 Plays, 841 Yds, 5.1 Avg, 11 TD
2020	9 GP/ 52 Attempts, 209 Yds, 1 Tds 4.0 Avg, 11 Rec, 135 Yds, 1 Tds, 12.3 Avg, 63 Plays, 344 Yds, 5.5 Avg, 2 TD

Player Summary:

4-year letterman, 3-year starter who has played in 31 career games and has 16 starts under his belt. Has an athletically cut body. Has good burst through the line of scrimmage with good decisiveness on reading gaps. Follows blocks, has ability to push the line to leverage position to explode for a long run. Does not go down on first hit, has ability to break tackles. Thrives when running between the tackles, more productive running in between the tackles instead of running outside. Has good athletic ability, is a versatile runner who can be utilized out the back field, has solid soft hands that turn into positive yards after the catch. Marginal touches for a runner who can be explosive out the backfield, did not get many touches in a heavy rotational backfield, resulting in limited impact to showcase talent at Miami. Does have trouble holding onto the ball once engaged by more aggressive defenders, does not switch ball to outside hand at point of attack, needs to secure the ball all the way to the ground. Does a marginal job in pass protection, does not initiate contact when blocking edge rushers. Does not stay on block long enough to allow QB time to throw.

Scheme Fit:

An early down back who is explosive and can slip out in coverage in a spread offense.

Power Statement:

An athletic versatile hard runner that can cause mismatches out the backfield with reliable hands and is tough to bring down and falls forward in tight and open spaces.