Georgia Tech freshman Demetrius Knight running ‘insanely fast’

October 21, 2017 Atlanta - Georgia Tech fans cheer for their team during an NCAA college football game against the Wake Forest at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Georgia Tech beat Wake Forest 38-24. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

October 21, 2017 Atlanta - Georgia Tech fans cheer for their team during an NCAA college football game against the Wake Forest at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Georgia Tech beat Wake Forest 38-24. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

When asked about incoming freshmen, Georgia Tech linebacker David Curry offered a caveat.

“None of them have played football yet,” he said.

That said, Curry had glowing words for linebacker Demetrius Knight at the ACC Kickoff last Thursday in Charlotte. Curry said that Knight registered a top speed of 22.97 miles per hour, "which I think is the fastest on the team. Insane, insanely fast." (Players' movement data is registered with GPS technology). Indeed, Knight has twice been recognized for recording top speeds among the team in weekly tweets from Ryan Horton, Tech's director of applied sports science.

“And his work ethic is unbelievable,” Curry told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “One of the best on the team. Me and him are constantly leading the linebacker group in runs and stuff like that. He gives me a run for my money in everything that we do and he’s a freshman. So I have nothing but respect for him and I’m in his ear all the time, telling him to ‘Keep on going’ and ‘Do your best’ and all that stuff.”

Knight was recruited to Tech to play quarterback by former coach Paul Johnson’s staff, but played multiple positions at Strong Rock Christian and was open to switching to help the team. He is listed at linebacker in the team media guide. While he’ll have to prove himself in preseason practice, his athletic ability could get him on the field this season in a special-teams role.

“He’s got everything that you need,” Curry said. “He’s one of those guys that can play quarterback and can play linebacker.”