Trevor Knight, QB, Texas A&M: 2017 NFL Scouting Report
By Brady Lunt
There seems to be a defining game in every quarterbacks career, a signature moment when that player does something special that becomes cemented in the history books. For then Oklahoma redshirt freshman Trevor Knight, that came to fruition at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season when the Sooners faced the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl.
It’s a game that will be forever remembered by those in attendance as Oklahoma beat Alabama 45-31. What became more memorable was the MVP performance by Knight. He would finish with 348 yards and four touchdowns to just one interception, completing 32 of 44 passes. His stellar performance made many believe he was the Sooner quarterback of the future.
Fast-forward a few years and it’s a crazy sight to see Knight now transferring to Texas A&M after getting pushed out of the starting job by Baker Mayfield. It’s a smart move by Knight who will have one final chance to start for a legitimate program before making a run at the NFL. Will he mirror the performance he had in the Sugar Bowl on a season-long scale and redeem his reputation as a clutch performer? What talents does he possess that makes him worthy of being drafted when the 2017 NFL Draft arrives?
Measurables
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 206
- Year: Senior
Strengths
- Strong Arm
- Above-average Mobility and Speed
- Intelligence and Fundamentals
Trevor Knight is an interesting prospect. Despite losing out on the starting job in Oklahoma, Knight possesses a lot of traits that should make him an effective quarterback for the Aggies. For starters, he has a strong arm and demonstrates the ability to make most NFL throws. His noticeably effective mobility allows him to move around in the pocket and make throws on the run. He possesses the speed needed to avoid pass rushers and shows a knack for extending plays. Has some Russell Wilson-like qualities in that regard. Shows an ability to hit a second-gear if he breaks the corner, capable of running the ball for considerable yardage. Works best in flexible offense that allows him to move freely rather than be confined to the pocket.
See below for highlights of Knights impressive performance against Alabama in the 2013-14 Sugar Bowl
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent Accuracy
- Lacks Desired NFL Size
- Progression Speed
- Lack of Production
The first knack on Trevor Knight is his size. With most quarterbacks coming into the league standing 6’4″ or 6’5″, Knight stands at a smaller 6’1″. While there is nothing he can do to improve this, he will need to demonstrate traits that show this doesn’t limit his potential at the next level. Next is his accuracy. Trevor Knight has shown an inability to consistently hit his receivers, whether the ball sails over his targets head or he under throws them out of the play. It’s something that he will need to improve on with the Aggies if he hopes to be considered come draft season. While he’s an intelligent with a sound understanding of the game, the speed at which he recognizes his progressions leaves more to be desired. Knight will need to quicken his pace, rather than relying on his legs if he hopes to peak the intrigue of scouts. The lack of production is something that could be easy to overcome, should he excel in the Aggies’ offense. Up to this point, he has only had one full starting season.
Final Thoughts
Trevor Knight has the potential to be a future NFL quarterback as he possesses a lot of the traits that Russell Wilson possessed coming out of Wisconsin (minus the fact Wilson was much more accurate and quicker in his progressions). It gives Knight someone to model his game after and Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M head coach) could have a field day modeling his offense after Knights abilities (see Manziel). If Knight demonstrates improvement on his accuracy and maintains his ability of playing big in big games, he should have the eyes of both scouts and coaches when draft season comes around.