Miami Hurricanes RB Jaylan Knighton true freshmen All-American

Miami Hurricanes true freshman running back Jaylan Knighton has been named a true freshman All-American by 247Sports.Com.

True freshman running back Jaylan Knighton is expected to be a big contributor for the Miami Hurricanes in 2020. Knighton is projected as the second-team RB behind junior starter Cam Harris and ahead of the Hurricanes other prized freshman RB Don Chaney Jr. Knighton has been named a freshmen All-American by 247Sports.Com

The Miami Hurricanes should improve running the football in 2020. The Hurricanes finished 120th in FBS with an average of 118.08 rushing yards per game. The new up-tempo, power spread offense run by new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has looked good during the first two scrimmages for Miami in August.

Knighton has run for 169 yards and two TDs on 22 carries in the scrimmages. Knighton is essentially projected as the best freshman RB in FBS in 2020. The 247 Sports true freshman All-American team named one RB and three WRs in a nod to the modern spread offenses used throughout college football.

The reasoning behind 247 Sports choosing Knighton is they expect the former Deerfield Beach star to receive more playing time than other RBs ranked ahead of him Knighton is the 11th ranked RB in the class of 2021. Miami has often used freshmen RBs in recent seasons. Knighton could be one of the most impactful.

"RUNNING BACK: JAYLAN KNIGHTON, MIAMIThe committee approach to running back carries in college football makes it difficult to prognosticate workload…For our back, we went with Miami’s Jaylan Knighton, the No. 106 player in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 10 running back.He’s been the talk of preseason camp for the Hurricanes. He’s one of the fastest players on the roster. He has been extremely productive in scrimmages and while Cam’Ron Harris returns after rushing for over 500 yards last fall, Knighton can add some juice and electricity to the Miami offense that it’s been lacking."

The Miami offense is projected to add 15 plays per game with the uptempo style. That will benefit players like Knighton who add speed and big-play ability to the Hurricanes in 2020. Knighton proved in high school the ability to produce against high-level competition. Knighton is also an adept receiver out of the backfield.

The scouting report from 247Sports states that Knighton has deceptive power at 5’10, 190 pounds. Knighton has learned from Lashlee and RBs coach Eric Hickson the need to be patient in setting up his blocks from the offensive linemen and not to go through the hole too soon.

"“If you beat your O-line to the assignments, the play won’t develop,…When the coach tells us to be patient, he wants us to go fast but we gotta get the ball and it’s a timing thing. So, get the ball slow [and] fast through the hole, that’s what being patient is.”"

If Knighton can put what he has learned into use as a true freshman this season he will mature quickly. Knighton also has the potential to return kickoffs for Miami. Knighton can be a highlight making player ready to happen for Miami in 2020. After this season, Harris has the option of entering the NFL Draft as a junior.

Knighton, Chaney and 2021 commit Tony Franklin provide Miami with a deep RB corps for at least the 2021 and 2022 seasons if Harris decides to turn pro. Harris has the option of staying through the 2022 with the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA. Miami should be exciting on the ground for the foreseeable future.