Despite committing to the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns a few weeks ago, Matt Luke and Co. were still able to convince an in-state product to stay close to home and become a Rebel. Pearl’s finest, two-star cornerback Tylan Knight, has decided to flip his allegiance to Carcosa to the Velvet Ditch.
The Pearl High School standout enjoyed an impressive week in Hattiesburg back in December at the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game and capped it off with a Co-MVP performance in the game against the Yellowhammer State in a game that saw Knight finish the blowout win with five tackles (three solo stops), three tackles for loss and an interception.
The newest member of the #MississippiMade class holds offers from Alabama State, ULL, and South Alabama after an incredible senior season that saw him account for 1,047 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 117 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 passes defended, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
And it’s over ♂️ #HOTTYTODDY #HYDR pic.twitter.com/cxaD2rSvW0
— Tylan Knight (@TylanKnight) February 7, 2018
For his career, now sit down for this, he recorded 2, 742 all-purpose yards, 296 total tackles, 12 forced fumbles, 11 sacks, five interceptions, and was responsible for 168 total points. Not a bad career for only playing in 45 games.
How does he fit in?
The 5’7, 170-pounder is a dynamic player with the football in his hands and is downright electric. The athleticism and raw talent jumps off the film when you turn it on. The No. 68 player in the Magnolia State isn’t going to wow you with measurables or a big-time offer sheet or star-ratings, but the dude can flat out play some football. He played quarterback, running back, and receiver on offense in high school but will more than likely be a nickel back in Oxford. Or he could be a shifty, make you miss in a phone booth slot receiver on offense, an element the offense has not seen since Phil Longo arrived at Ole Miss.
Fellow signee and four-star Elijah Moore brings a similar skill set that was supposed to be seized by transfers Van Jefferson and Tre Nixon, but now the only true slot receiver with a similar skill set on the roster is sophomore Braylon Sanders, who began to emerge at season’s end. These three should be able to give Longo and Jordan Ta’amu weapons to use and speed to kill. Knight is an absolute problem in the open field. He is shifty as hell and is much stronger than he appears.
Tylan is one of those takes in a class that falls in the category of “he’s good enough to sign so get him here and then we’ll figure out what to do with him”. To me, he screams “MIKE HILTON”. He’s going to play whenever and wherever you put him and he’s going to make plays. Period.
He could be a spark plug on special teams as well, returning kicks and punts, or even as a gunner on the punt team. One thing is for sure, Ole Miss may have been late to the party, but they snagged a damn good one in Tylan Knight, stars be damned.