Anthony Knighton

Position:
Defensive End
Class:
Senior
Height:
6-4
Weight:
251
Hometown:
Fort Pierce, Fla.
High School:
Central
Major:
Graduated in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Finished his career as the school record-holder in career sacks (25.5), Tackles For Loss (52.0) and Games Started (57) ... Started every game of his career.

2021 (SENIOR)

Started all 13 games
Named 2nd Team All-MVFC
Led the team with 11.5 TFL
Led the defensive line with 47 tackles
Recorded 3.5 sacks and 6 QB hurries
Broke up 5 passes
Blocked 3 kicks
Intercepted a pass at Indiana State and returned it 19 yards for a TD

2020 (COVID YEAR)

Started all 10 games at defensive end
Led all of SIU's defensive linemen with 35 tackles, including a season-high 8 stops and 1.0 sack at Youngstown State
Second on the team in tackles-for-loss with 5.5
Batted down 2 passes, had 1.0 sack and 2 QB hurries

2019 (JUNIOR)

Started all 12 games, extending his streak of consecutive starts to 34 games
2nd on the team with 6.0 sacks and third with 10.5 TFL
Recorded sacks in three-straight games against UMass, UT Martin and Arkansas State
Had a season-high 5 stops at South Dakota
Had at least one tackle in every game, including
Finished the season ranked No. 3 in school history with 21.0 career sacks and No. 6 in TFL (34.5)

2018 (SOPHOMORE)

2nd-Team All-MVFC
Started all 11 games
Led the team and finished 3rd in the MVFC with 8.5 sacks
Led the team and finished 4th in the MVFC with 13.5 tackles for loss
Totaled 45 tackles and added 3 pass breakups, an interception and a blocked kick
Had 3 games with 2.0 sacks each (SEMO, Illinois State, South Dakota State)
Had a season-high 8 tackles at Missouri State
Earned the team's Defensive Player of the Year award

2017 (FRESHMAN)

Freshman All-American by HERO Sports and Phil Steele Magazine
Runner up for MVFC Freshman of the Year
Finished 11th in the Jerry Rice Award voting (National Freshman of the Year)
Honorable Mention All-MVFC
Started all 11 games
Set SIU freshman records with 11.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks
Led team in sacks (6.5) and QB hurries (six)

2016 (REDSHIRT)

Redshirted

HIGH SCHOOL

All-Area selection ... Also played basketball and was the Player of the Year at Fort Pierce Central high school for two years.

PERSONAL

Full given name is Anthony Jermaine Knighton II ... Son of Shontay Smith and Anthony Knighton ... Born on Jan. 21, 1998, in Fort Pierce, Fla. ... Graduated in spring 2020 in criminology & criminal justice ... Currently taking undergraduate courses in sociology.