Miami Football Category 20: Jaylan Knighton part of elite RB Corps

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney Jr. rank as the top running back duo committed to one school for the Class of 2020. The pair of local products give the Miami football program a bright future on the Hurricanes backfield.

Jaylan Knighton is the 104th ranked player overall, the 10th ranked running back and 19th ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2020. Knighton is the third highest-ranked player in the Category 2020 Miami Football class and second-ranked on offense behind fellow RB Don Chaney Jr. They hope to boost an inconsistent offense.

The Miami football team plummeted running the football in 2019. Miami enters the Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech 120th nationally in rushing yards per game. Knighton and Chaney Jr. will compete with rising junior Cam’Ron Harris, rising redshirt sophomore Lorenzo Lingard and rising redshirt junior Robert Burns.

Junior DeeJay Dallas is out for the remainder of the 2019 season with a dislocated elbow. Dallas is eligible for the NFL Draft but has not announced if he will return for the 2019 season or not. With or without Dallas the Hurricanes should have a much-improved ground attack in 2020 if the offensive line improves.

The Miami offensive line finished 114th nationally in stuff rate in 2019. Stuff rate is the percentage of plays that go for one or zero yards. Miami had a 23.1 percent stuff rate offensively this season. The Hurricanes need to find a back to has the potential to move the chains and make big plays.

At 5’9 194 pounds, Knighton is more of a big-play threat running that football than a smash-mouth move the chains RB. Knighton will enroll early. That will give him a chance with Chaney to impress the coaches early. If Dallas returns it gives the Miami football program a deep buit crowded backfield.

Miami head coach Manny Diaz has preached for the last year about the importance of competition in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes football program became legendary because of competition at every position at the work ethic of those players. Knighton is praised as a player who can help immediately by 247 Sports.

"“Compact, muscular build adequate for the running back position. Explosive athlete with head-turning instincts as a runner. True home run threat with good vision, quickness and verified long speed…Elite burst and change of direction ability with strong set of moves in between the tackles and in space.Effective pass catcher out of the backfield with plus instincts. Minimal wasted movement with north-south, one-cut style with the ball in his hands. Decisive runner with the ability to win the edge with or without momentum.Should find way to earn manufactured touches relatively early at high-end Power Five program to start notable college career.”"

The last sentence is telling. Miami is anything but a high-end Power Five program right now. The Hurricanes arrived at their 6-6 season with two wins as an underdog and covered in a third game. Miami also lost three games as at least a two-touchdown favorite. Knighton is the kind of Miami needed to sign to move forward.

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