Canary Knight

DL, 6’2, 242, 4.55, 420 bp
Tallahasse, FL

Nickname: Bird
High School: Leon
Junior College: City College SF
HS Number: 44
JC Number: 58
AL Number: 58
Official Visits: Cal, Alabama, Ohio State
Second Choice: California
Host During Alabama Visit: Mookie Moore
Committed: January 25, 1998
Academic Status: Graduate in May

Stats

JUCO Sophomore Season

Tackles

• 96 total
• 25 for loss
• 8 QB sacks

Interceptions

• 1 INTs
• 1 TD returns
• Longest INT return was for 90 yards

Honors

• All-Conference
• All-State
• JUCO All-American

Stories

An Impact Player

It won’t take long for Alabama fans to notice something special about Canary Knight.

"From the first play to the last play, I give 110%," Knight says. "And I make big things happen."

That’s good news, especially for a defense that rarely made good things happen last season.

"They [Alabama coaches] like me because I’ve got the speed and quickness to be a pass rusher. But I think I may be even better against the run."

His JUCO teammate and fellow Tide signee, Miguel Merritt, agrees.

"He has unbelievable speed and quickness," Merritt says. "I haven’t seen an offensive lineman stop him yet."

After a brilliant sophomore season at City College of San Francisco, Knight was named a JUCO All-American. He intercepted passes, blocked kicks, sacked the quarterback, and created chaos for opposing offenses. That’s the type of impact he can have for Alabama.

"That’s my mindset," Knight says. "From the first day I want to establish myself as a big play man. They need help and I’m ready to give it to them."

On The Recruiting Trail …

Cottrell Strikes Again!

"Cal and Ohio State were nice," he says. "But I sensed something special on my visit to Alabama. They have a great tradition and the coaches were honest. It was an easy decision picking Alabama."

The most influential factor in his decision?

"Ronnie Cottrell. He recruited me when he was at Florida State. I knew that I was going to Alabama once Coach Cottrell got there."

Q&A

TI: First, what position will you play at Alabama?

CK: I’ll probably be at defensive end.

TI: Is that the position you played in junior college?

CK: I played a combination of defensive end and outside linebacker. I was used a lot like the Kansas City Chiefs use Derrick Thomas.

TI: Do you think you’re ready to step on the field and play right away?

CK: Definitely. I know that I’ll be playing against some great players. But I’ve got the speed and quickness that Alabama needs. I’m going to make an immediate impact next season.

TI: We’ve heard about your speed. What about your strength? Are you a physical player?

CK: In my opinion my strength is playing the run. I have the strength to hold my own against bigger guys. But I also have the quickness to beat them off the ball.

TI: Let’s change gears a little. Besides the tradition, was there anything that stood out about Alabama?

CK: Coach DuBose. I was very impressed with him. He’s honest and he didn’t sugar-coat anything. I think he’s a great coach and I look forward to playing for him.

TI: Since you’ll only have two seasons to play, are you concerned about the 4-7 season Alabama had last year?

CK: No. In fact, it’s one of the reasons I’m going there. I could tell during my visit that something special is going to happen at Alabama very soon. And when it all goes down, I’ll be there.