2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Chance Knight, DL, Marietta College

• Name: Chance Knight
• Position: DL
• College: Marietta College
• Height: 6’ 3”
• Weight: 255 lbs
• Instagram: @chanceknight_26

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

When I first started playing football I decided to play because I wanted to be like my favorite NFL players and all of my friends played. There is no other physical sport like football which drew me directly to it. It is a sport that allows you to channel aggression and use controlled violence like no other. I continued to play football because my appreciation for the team aspect of the game. It’s beautiful how there are 11 guys on the field who must work in unison to progress towards one goal.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments are those that outsiders would not think of. The regular Tuesdays or Wednesdays that kind of suck because of many reasons. You could have had a long day at school, it’s hot, cold, raining, conditioning at the end of practice is just weighing on you, or you’re coming off of a hard loss. No matter what the reason, you still showed up and still practiced as you have your whole life. You know it sucks but you look around and you’re out there embracing it with your closest friends with no immediate reward besides getting to the next minute, hour, or day. During these hard times there has been plenty of complaining, but as my friends and I get older we look back and just laugh at the fact that we were never going to follow through with any of our empty threats. 

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I would like to be able to provide some sort of value to any NFL team as long as I am able to.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

I would hang out with JJ Watt because of the way he played the game. He attacked every play with crazy intensity and relentless passion. If there was a picture next to beast in the dictionary it would be 99. I also think we would have a good bit in common and maybe TJ would show up as well.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My father because of his work ethic and commitment. He has always led by example through his work by being the first one there and last one to go home. Not every day was as rewarding as the other, but he has always kept reaching for his goals.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I lean towards a 4-3 because I think it feels like the natural front for me. It’s what I’m used to and 4 defensive linemen against 5 offensive linemen gives so much versatility for blitzes and stunts. 

What should we know about Chance Knight the person?

One of my greatest qualities is that I’m willing to learn and that I am great at quickly executing what has been taught to me. Coachability has always been a priority of mine. I don’t take any second of any day for granted because I know time is never guaranteed.

What stands out about your film the most?

Domination of the line of scrimmage. Aggressive hands right out of my stance allow me to attack my opponent first giving him no time to think or react. You will see that the quarterback is enemy number one.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

All challenges in life and on the football field come at you very fast. So I handle these challenges head on. There is no script on how to overcome the challenges of football and life so I just dive in. If I don’t succeed the first time then I try again without dwelling on the past. You must do everything to avoid overthinking and anxiety because these things bring you down in many ways. One way to overcome them is to lean on someone whether it be a teammate, friend or family member, we all need help sometimes. I like to have a plan to overcome these challenges, but many times I have found that my training and practice has allowed me to more naturally conquer them.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a guy that is willing to help the team in any way possible. They would get great versatility, athleticism and mentality. I am willing to play any position and any role at any time. Whether it’s one of the challenges as mentioned above, the guy across from me, or any struggle of daily life I will bow to none of it. 

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the team aspect of the game the most. There is no other sport where 11 guys are all moving simultaneously to try and achieve one goal. If one guy makes a mistake the play is likely to fail. Each man relies on every second they have invested into training and practice so that they can play with a free mind on Saturdays. If you attempt to master the scheme, technique, and your mindset on practice days then game day is just about effort and trust.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

When I hear this question my mind goes to a group of underrated players. The players that are showing up Tuesday for Wednesday and Wednesday for Thursday rather than always focusing on game day. In my career some shining examples of this are Cooper Chaffin, Jack Wallace, and Anthony Sabatino. These dudes are all selfless players that would give anything to make their teammates better. This may or may not have come with the reward of playing on Saturdays, but that did not stop them from giving 100% of their mind and body to the sport. Thank you to these guys and all of the others out there that have given so much to me and my team.