American football player (born 2001)
American football player
Zonovan Knight Knight at NC State
Position: Running back Born: (2001-04-11 ) April 11, 2001 (age 23) Bailey, North Carolina , U.S.Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 209 lb (95 kg) High school: Southern Nash (Bailey, NC)College: NC State (2019–2021)Undrafted: 2022
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Zonovan "Bam " Knight (born April 11, 2001) is an American professional football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State .
Early life
Knight attended Southern Nash High School in Bailey, North Carolina .[ 1] During his high school career, he had a school record 5,073 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns .[ 2] He committed to North Carolina State University to play college football .[ 3] [ 4]
College career
As a true freshman at NC State in 2019 , Knight started seven games and led the team with 745 yards on 136 carries with five touchdowns.[ 5] In 2020 , he again led the team with 788 yards on 143 carries with 10 touchdowns.[ 6] He returned to NC State as the starter in 2021 .
Professional career
New York Jets (first stint)
Knight signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022.[ 9] He made the Jets' initial 53-man roster on August 30, 2022.[ 10] He was waived on September 5.[ 11] He was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[ 12] He was promoted to the active roster on October 25.[ 13] Knight made his NFL debut on November 27 against the Chicago Bears , where he set a new franchise record with 103 yards from scrimmage in his debut, including 69 rushing yards.[ 14] He was waived on August 28, 2023.[ 15]
Detroit Lions
On August 30, 2023, Knight was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.[ 16] On September 19, 2023, Knight was signed to the active roster.[ 17] He was placed on injured reserve on October 14.[ 18]
On August 27, 2024, Knight was released by the Lions.[ 19]
New York Jets (second stint)
On November 26, 2024, Knight was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.[ 20]
Arizona Cardinals
On January 7, 2025, Knight signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals .[ 21]
NFL career statistics
Year
Team
Games
Rushing
Receiving
Fumbles
GP
GS
Att
Yds
Avg
Lng
TD
Rec
Yds
Avg
Lng
TD
Fum
Lost
2022
NYJ
7
4
85
300
3.5
48
1
13
100
7.7
16
0
2
1
Career
7
4
85
300
3.5
48
1
13
100
7.7
16
0
2
1
References
^ Stout, Jon (January 17, 2018). "Recruitment ramping up for Southern Nash's Zonovan Knight" . High School OT . Retrieved February 2, 2023 .
^ Thompson, David (August 5, 2021). "How did NC State football RB Zonovan 'Bam' Knight get his nickname? It's a cute story" . The Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ Smith, R. Cory (July 9, 2018). "Top NC RB Zonovan Knight commits to NC State for 2019 class" . 247Sports . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ "Southern Nash standout RB Zonovan Knight commits to NC State" . High School OT . July 9, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ Durham, Paul (September 17, 2020). "Former Firebird ready for more: 'Bam' Knight takes field after breakout rookie season at NC State" . Southern Nash News . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ Pope IV, Jonas (July 27, 2021). "N.C. State's Bam Knight is healthy, and motivated, which is good news for the Wolfpack" . Greensboro News and Record . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ "Bam Knight Draft and Combine Prospect Profile" . NFL.com . Retrieved March 15, 2022 .
^ "Zonovan Knight, North Carolina State, RB, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football" . draftscout.com . Retrieved March 15, 2022 .
^ Robinson, Sam (May 6, 2022). "Jets Sign 5 Undrafted Free Agents" . Pro Football Rumors . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ Lange, Randy; Greenberg, Ethan (August 30, 2022). "Final Cuts: Jets Move 27 Players to Trim Roster to NFL's 53-Man Limit" . NewYorkJets.com . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ Butchko, John (September 5, 2022). "Jets Bring Back Conor McDermott; Waive Zonovan Knight" . Gang Green Nation . Retrieved May 25, 2023 .
^ Greenberg, Ethan (September 6, 2022). "Jets Sign 3 Players to Practice Squad" . NewYorkJets.com . Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 25, 2022). "Jets Place RB Breece Hall and OL Alijah Vera-Tucker on Injured Reserve" . NewYorkJets.com . Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ Goodman, Max (November 27, 2022). "Jets' Rookie Helps to Revive Run Game With Historic Debut" . Jets Nation . Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ Ehalt, Matt (August 28, 2023). "Jets cut Zonovan 'Bam' Knight in Dalvin Cook roster casualty" . New York Post . Retrieved August 30, 2023 .
^ Raven, Benjamin (August 31, 2023). "Lions add kicker Michael Badgley, running back Zonovan Knight to practice squad" . Michigan Live . Retrieved August 30, 2023 .
^ Ulrich, Logan (September 19, 2023). "Lions Promoting RB Zonovan Knight To Active Roster" . NFLTradeRumors.co . Retrieved September 19, 2023 .
^ "Lions' Zonovan Knight: Moved to IR" . CBSSports.com . October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 .
^ "Lions announce roster moves" . DetroitLions.com . August 27, 2024.
^ Greenberg, Ethan (November 26, 2024). "Jets Sign RB Zonovan Knight and WR Easop Winston Jr. to Practice Squad" . NewYorkJets.com .
^ Gershman, Zach (January 7, 2025). "Cardinals Ink Futures Deal With Four More Players" . AZCardinals.com .
External links
Active
Reserve lists
Impending free agents