Kevin Knight

Position:
Cornerback
Height:
5-8
Weight:
186
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Suffolk, Va.
High School:
Lakeland

Moved into a starting role in 2002 and started every game at cornerback • Was used as the nickel back (fifth defensive back) in 2001 and was essentially a starter • Is a physical player, but also has good coverage ability • Also a good return man • Member of UNC’s strength and conditioning honor roll.

2002 • Senior Season
Started all 12 games at cornerback • Finished fifth on the team with 62 tackles (47 solo) and was second on the team with seven pass breakups • Had a team-high three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception • Had seven tackles and two sacks in Carolina’s 23-21 win at Duke • Blocked one kick, deflected a pass and made four tackles against Florida State • Had five tackles versus Clemson • Sacked CU’s Whitehurst in the endzone for a Tar Heels safety in the first quarter • It was the Tar Heels first safety since 1999 • Made five solo tackles against the Terps • Had four tackles (two solo) in the Wake Forest loss • Made five tackles in the 10-point defeat to Virginia • Broke up three passes and had six tackles against NC State • Clinched the victory for the Tar Heels against Arizona State when he ducked in and picked off a pass with 28 seconds left in the game at midfield • Finished with five tackles and one pass breakup • Made seven tackles (five solo) in the 21-13 loss to Georgia Tech • Broke up one of Chris Simms’ passes in Carolina’s loss to Texas • Made five tackles (three solo) against the Longhorns • Had three tackles (two solo) and two pass break-ups against Syracuse • Recovered a fumbled Syracuse kickoff in the fourth quarter after the Tar Heels had taken a 30-22 lead • Started in the 27-21 loss to Miami (Ohio) at cornerback, making six tackles (four solo) • Recovered a fumbled snap on a RedHawks field goal attempt late in the second quarter and returned it six yards.

2001 • Junior Season
Played in every game, including the Peach Bowl, as the nickel back and top kick return man • Was ninth on the team with 49 tackles (33 solo), including one sack vs. Duke for a six-yard loss • Had at least one tackle in every game • Made a season-high seven tackles against Wake Forest • Posted five solo tackles and broke up a pass at Clemson • Began the year with six tackles at defending national champion Oklahoma • Also made six tackles at Georgia Tech • Credited with three tackles in the Peach Bowl victory over Auburn • Led the team with 15 kickoff returns for 272 yards, an average of 18.1 yards • Had a season-high five kickoff returns at Texas for 75 yards • Had a season-long 29-yard kickoff return vs. Duke.

2000 • Sophomore Season
Played in all 11 games as a kick returner and a cornerback • Did not start, but played 290 snaps, an average of 26 snaps per game • Had his best game at Wake Forest, where he played a season-high 50 snaps and had seven tackles, including three tackles for loss • Sacked Wake Forest quarterback C.J. Leak for an 11-yard loss • Finished the season with 25 tackles, including 15 solo stops and 10 assists • Had six tackles in the season-opener vs. Tulsa • Registered at least one tackle in 10 of 11 games • Returned 10 kickoffs for 155 yards, an average of 15.5 yards per return • Season-high 31-yard return came on the opening kickoff of the Clemson game • Also had a return of 26 yards at Duke and 21 yards at Pittsburgh.

1999 • Freshman Season
Played in every game on special teams • Started one game at cornerback • Played 202 snaps, including 52 against Maryland in his first college start and 42 against Furman • Made nine tackles, including six solo hits • Broke up passes against the Terps and Duke • Had a season-high three tackles vs. Maryland.

Lakeland High School
Two-time All-Southeastern District running back • Compiled more than 4,000 all-purpose yards in his career • As a senior, rushed 190 times for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns • Also had four receptions for 57 yards and a score • Returned both a kickoff and punt for scores • Rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns to beat Michael Vick’s Warwick High School team, 35-10, in a game in which Knight’s team was a big underdog • Had 16 tackles and two interceptions • Team captain • Two-time Offensive MVP at Lakeland High School • Played for Coach Edward Smither • State 300-meter indoor champion • Qualified for nationals in the 55 meters • Ranked fifth in the country in the 55 meters.

Personal
Born Kevin Nathaniel Knight on December 22, 1980 in Newport News, Va. • Favorite NFL team as a kid was the New York Giants • Favorite athlete is Deion Sanders • Greatest personal athletic moment was helping Carolina beat Florida State last season • Favorite former Tar Heel football player is Dre’ Bly • Goal is to be a sport psychologist • Is an ACT mentor • Wears his favorite high school football shirt underneath his jersey • Has modeled his game after Darrell Green • Can play the trumpet • Majoring in exercise and sports science.