Jets Country

Jets' Michael Carter Offers Huge Compliment to Undrafted Free Agent Zonovan Knight

"I wouldn't sleep on him," said Carter.

Max Goodman

In this story:

As of this spring, Michael Carter isn't the only ACC standout in the Jets' running back room.

Zonovan Knight, a product of NC State, was picked up by New York shortly after the 2022 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent. 

Considering the Jets have quite a few playmakers in their backfield right now—a group led by Carter and second-round pick Breece Hall—Knight's journey to a roster spot has no guarantees.

Nonetheless, when asked about Knight on Wednesday, Carter had nothing but good things to say about his rival turned teammate.

"He's a really good player and I can't believe he didn't get drafted," Carter told reporters. "I wouldn't sleep on him if I was y'all. Like at all. He's a great route runner, he can catch and also he's really good in the return game. I think he was all ACC in specials, in returning. There's a lot he can do, he can catch, he's physical, he's about 210 right now, he's kind of a big kid. He's got a great heart and he's eager to learn, I'm excited to see him play."

Over three years with the Wolfpack, Knight racked up 2,286 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns on 419 total carries. As Carter mentioned, Knight factored into the return game as well, taking three kicks back for touchdowns in college while accumulating 923 kick return yards. 

READ: Ranking the Jets UDFA's Chances of Making the Roster

Knight wasn't the only Jets running back that Carter spoke about this week. He commended the entire group, explaining how quality competition at this point in the year will continue to bring the best out of each back going forward.

"None of us have bad blood." Carter said. "There's situations across the league where guys may not help the rest of their guys. Last year, the standard was set with Tevin [Coleman]. Tevin came in, he's a vet and he's expecting certain things, but the way he took me in is unbelievable and I'm thankful for it, I'm so blessed. The rest of the guys, [La'Mical] Perine has been balling out, Ty [Johnson], obviously people know what he can do and then you add the two new guys [Knight and Hall], and then we've got Nick Bawden at fullback as well, we've got a lot of guys that can really go get it."

MORE:

Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Jets Country and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

Published
Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

Home/News