Ole Miss Football: Nigel Knott could be just what defense needed

Nigel Knott had just about every offer a top recruit could possibly have out of high school in the 2016 recruiting class. He could have had his pick of the litter and chose to go to Alabama to compete for a national title under Nick Saban and that elite defense.

As a freshman, the former top-60 recruit was on Alabama’s scout team as he redshirted. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he appeared in two games but didn’t record any stats.

And finally, as a sophomore, he recorded his first career tackle but was otherwise quiet during the 2018 season. He probably only expected things to get better for himself in a Crimson Tide jersey, but he didn’t play in 2019 because of medical issues and then decided to hit the transfer portal, choosing East Carolina as his new home.

Knott was probably expecting to be the clear top cornerback on the roster, but a hamstring injury in the offseason slowed him and didn’t allow him to really compete and he didn’t play a single snap for the Pirates.

In December, he announced his intention to transfer again and was in the portal for five months before finally committing to Ole Miss this week.

His career is going to end in Oxford which is fitting because he’s a Mississippi native and Lane Kiffin was at Alabama when defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was recruiting him. This move made sense for both sides, especially since Ole Miss desperately needed secondary help.

In fact, Ole Miss’ defense gave up over 500 yards of total offense a season ago and the secondary surrendered over 310 passing yards. Not good.

Now Chris Partridge and DJ Durkin have an upgrade to play with.

Ole Miss football could be what Knott needed

While Ole Miss could use Knott in the worst way, especially if he’s healthy and lives up to his potential, the former four-star cornerback from Mississippi could also use the Rebels.

Knott’s career was filled with more downs than ups with injuries and no real chances to compete and now he’s headed to a program back home that needs help in the defensive backfield and he could instantly become the top back and leader on and off the field.

Not only could this move help Ole Miss, but it could revitalize Knott’s career.