CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Bengals rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight opted to practice in the spring despite not having signed his contract at that point and that decision sure seemed to pay off on the first day of the team’s training camp on Wednesday.

Knight, the team’s second round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, ran with the first team alongside veteran linebacker Logan Wilson and made his presence felt several times, both against the run and covering passes.

He could have opted not to participate in anything like first-round pick Shemar Stewart, who is still holding out, but Knight said he didn’t think that was a good way to begin his NFL career.

“It was important to show my teammates that I care and to show that it’s more than about the money for me,” Knight said after Wednesday’s practice. “I know in the long run this is where I want my family to be for my entire career. It was important to show the people upstairs that I know we’ll get to an agreement, but until then I’m going to continue to go to work regardless of whether there is a contract or not.”

Knight didn’t sign his contract until this past Saturday, which is the day rookies were scheduled to report as the majority of second-round picks didn’t sign until late as they each sought more guaranteed money.

“I always knew the man upstairs would take care of it, just like he did right on report day,” said Knight.

His journey to the NFL came after three college stops (Georgia Tech, Coastal Carolina, and finally South Carolina) and a time trying to make ends meet for him, his wife (Jensy) and young daughter Kamilla, who is now 2 years old, by making DoorDash deliveries, even during football season.

Perhaps that’s why he wanted to make a good first impression with the Bengals, contract or no contract.

“I think he hit the ground pretty much running,” said Wilson. “That was kind of what I heard about him – that he’s a very mature young man. We have a lot to learn in this defense, but he’s done a really good job especially as a rookie doing what he’s being asked to do and doing it at a high level. I’m very impressed with him.”

Knight admitted his first practice in the spring he struggled, but that with each practice after that he felt more and more confident.

“Today there was no flinch out there like there was early in OTAs,” said Knight. “It could have been a case of being a chicken with your head cut off, as my grandma and cousins would put it, but those reps in the spring accumulate over time and come back in the summer and be ready to go. It was good.”

Teammates have praised Knight not only for his performance, but for his leadership skills.

He said the one year he spent at South Carolina in 2024 helped him with the transition to the NFL.

“It’s just about learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Knight. “Going to Carolina I was the new guy and they had their system and knew their system, so it was up to me at that point to take it upon myself to put in the time to understand the system. I asked guys questions. That’s what I do here with Logan and OB (veteran Oren Burks) and coach Hodges (linebackers coach Mike Hodges). Ask them questions, send them videos, so when I get out there I don’t flinch and bog down a veteran with me asking questions during the play.”

The rookie made an immediate impact on first-year defensive coordinator Al Golden.

“Just consistent energy,” said Golden. “I love his approach to the game. He makes everybody around him better. He’s a live wire. He just enjoys the game, and he’s got a grateful heart and that’s how I look at it. He’s really overcome a lot. Not everything has come easy for him, and from that standpoint, he’s grateful. He’s grateful for the opportunity. We’ve made him play a bunch of different spots. He’s long enough to play the edge, he’s obviously strong and sudden enough to blitz, so I couldn’t be happier with us acquiring him.”