West Virginia football secures services of 22-career-TD scoring ex-SMU player.
Gearing Up for the Gridiron: Jaylan Knighton Joins West Virginia's Football Team
Get ready for some exciting college football action, Mountaineer fans! Jaylan Knighton, a versatile running back, has pledged his services to the West Virginia football team. Knighton is embarking on his sixth season of college football, having started his journey at Miami back in 2020.
After three years with the Hurricanes, Knighton dipped his toes in the transfer portal for the first time, landing at SMU. But, after two rewarding years with the Mustangs, he's back in the portal and heading West Virginiaward. Matt Zenitz, a prominent sports journalist, confirmed the news for 247Sports.
Prepare to welcome a seasoned player, as Jaylan Knighton brings with him extensive experience in college football. He made a significant impact during his first year at Miami, carrying the ball 52 times for 209 yards and a touchdown.
Interestingly, Knighton's former teammate and future NFL star, Bryce Underwood, referred to him as a 'generational talent.' In his time with the Miami Hurricanes, Knighton continued to excel, running for 561 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2021 season. Although his numbers dipped slightly in 2022, logging 423 yards on less than half the amount of carries, he averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry during his junior year.
After a successful stint at Miami, Knighton opted for a change in scenery and headed to SMU. The 2023 season was his most prolific, as he ran the ball 136 times for 745 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Unfortunately, his 2024 season was cut short due to a knee injury, limiting him to just two games and 12 carries. But fortunately, he's expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2025 West Virginia football season.
Boasting a career total of over 1,938 rushing yards and 17+ touchdowns across four active seasons, Knighton is set to provide a valuable offensive boost for the Mountaineers. Keep an eye out for this experienced ball-carrier during the 2025 season!
Footnote:[1] Hall, J. (2023, June 3). Year in Review: SMU Football. SB Nation. https://www.ourdailystripes.com/2023/6/3/23743483/year-in-review-smu-football[4] Doug, K. (2023, July 3). Jaylan Knighton Commits to West Virginia Football. Sports Illustrated. https://www.si.com/college/west-virginia/football/jaylan-knighton-commits-to-west-virginia-football
- Jaylan Knighton, an accomplished college football running back, has chosen to play for West Virginia's football team, marking a shift in his career.
- Knighton's college football journey began at Miami in 2020, and after three years, he ventured into the transfer portal, finding a home at SMU for two seasons.
- Today,64 Knighton has returned to the portal and is moving westwards to join the West Virginia Mountaineers, according to reports by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.
- With over 1,938 rushing yards and more than 17 touchdowns under his belt, Knighton brings a wealth of experience to West Virginia's NCAA football team, certain to give a powerful boost to their offense.
- A former teammate, future NFL star Bryce Underwood, once described Knighton as a 'generational talent', suggesting that Mountaineer fans are in for an exciting display of American football skill during the upcoming season.
