Knight's timing with Aggies just right

Third in a series previewing SEC football teams heading into the 2016 season.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin was among the coaches Trevor Knight called in early December inquiring about a transfer after the quarterback received a scholarship release from Oklahoma.

Knight was preparing to graduate with a business management degree. He could transfer and have immediate eligibility as a fifth-year senior.

Two years earlier, Knight had been MVP of the Sooners' 45-31 victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, completing 32 of 44 passes for 348 yards and 4 touchowns.

But after losing his starting job to Baker Mayfield last season, Knight was seeking an opportunity to get back on the field.

"Coach Sumlin was very adamant with the idea that they had two quarterbacks they felt very comfortable with," Knight said at SEC media days. "He told me, 'Thanks for the conversation, but that's the direction we're moving forward in.'

"Now, fast forward a week or so and that situation was a little bit different."

Within a week, Texas A&M quarterbacks sophomore Kyle Allen and freshman Kyler Murray -- who split playing time throughout last season -- announced they were transferring.

Sumlin quickly got back on the phone with Knight, who played 24 games in three seasons at Oklahoma, including 15 starts.

"Our conversations changed dramatically," Knight said. "We started having those more recruiting-like conversations."

Knight transferred to Texas A&M in January, went through offseason conditioning work and spring practice and in April was named the starting quarterback by Sumlin.

"It was pretty simple," Sumlin said. "He earned it."

Allen transferred to Houston while Murray switched places with Knight and transferred to Oklahoma.

Kenny Hill, who began the 2014 season as Texas A&M's starting quarterback, transferred to TCU last year after being suspended and losing his job to Allen.

The Aggies are counting on Knight to bring stability to the position and help them rally from back-to-back 8-5 seasons.

"Quite honestly, it was a situation where Texas A&M filled a void for Trevor Knight as a guy who wanted to play at a high level and be around a program that he thought fit his skill set," Sumlin said. "Then it filled a void for us as a quarterback who had real game experience and had some success.

"For us, it was a great match and I think has led to a really drama-free offseason."

Knight completed 280 of 490 passes (57.1 percent) for 3,424 yards and 25 touchdowns at Oklahoma, but had 19 interceptions. In 2014 he had 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, including touchdown returns against TCU, Kansas State and Clemson.

"I never thought in a million years I'd be a transfer guy," said Knight, who was a team captain at Oklahoma. "I played a lot early on in my career, and had a whole lot of fun, but I also did what I was supposed to do in the classroom.

"I just missed being on the field. I get the opportunity to do that again because of the grad transfer rule."

Knight quickly has won over his new teammates.

"He's a confident leader at quarterback," Aggies defensive end Myles Garrett said. "That's what we needed.

"Trevor already has proven himself. We know he has a love for the game and can play at a high level and he's beaten the best, which right now is Alabama."

Knight will turn 23 on Oct. 3 -- nine days after Arkansas plays Texas A&M.

"Trevor's come into our program and shown a real maturity level that we thought he would as a graduate transfer," Sumlin said. "He's a guy who has won big games, has been involved in high-level competition and obviously has been through some adversity losing his job to Baker Mayfield."

Knight, from San Antonio, said it feels good to be back in his home state and that he's looking forward to playing consistently well.

"A lot of things go into that," Knight said. "Confidence is probably the most important thing.

"When you battle injuries and lose your spot, it's a confidence killer. Whether you feel that or not, subconsciously it's there.

"I will say that right now with a fresh start, I've got more confidence than I've ever had in my game."

The Aggies are loaded with talented receivers led by Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Rickey Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil.

"Watching them the last couple of years, I knew they were talented, but getting to be around them is something special," Knight said. "They're guys that are big, fast, are going to high point the ball for you, and they have extremely hard work ethics.

"It's something that as a quarterback in general -- but definitely as a new guy coming in -- you want to have. Guys that will make a whole lot of plays for you."

Knight said he worked hard to be accepted by his new teammates.

"It's a unique balance of stepping in and not acting like you're the guy right away, but also realizing you've only got a year to do this, so you've got to make your way up to that level pretty quickly," he said. "You've got to gain your teammates' respect without stepping on any toes and you've got to prove yourself on the field and in the weight room.

"The guys took to me really well. It's been pretty cool."

Sports on 07/15/2016