IU Commit Tyler Knight Anchoring Northside Christian Academy Offensive Line

Tyler Knight has some experience at offensive tackle, but he’s still learning.

That’s ok, though, because it’s part of Knight’s routine. Described by his coach as a “student of the game,” the 2017 Indiana football commit and three-star Florida offensive tackle will be anchoring Northside Christian Academy’s offensive line this fall in St. Petersburg.

“Tyler’s been good. He looked very, very good. Finally getting into live play, getting the season going against different competition and studying different opponents, studying guys he’s up against,” Northside head coach Mike Alstott said. “He’s a student of the game, so he really looks at his opponents. Speed rusher, bull rusher, they go in, they go out, different types of blitzes. Communication on the offensive line is going great with different pickups. He plays very well with eyes.”

Knight, listed at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, has maintained that frame throughout the offseason and into the regular season.

Alstott said Knight is a “well-proportioned” 275 and has a strong lower body, both attributes of switching from tight end to offensive tackle.

“He’s not a kid with a gut and stuff like that,” Alstott said. “You’re not going to see a sloppy 275. He’s solid.”

The success of the Mustangs offense starts in the trenches, where Knight is the leader on the offensive line. Alstott specifically praised Knight’s ability to set the tone for creating an effective running and passing game.

Knight plays left tackle, which means he’s responsible for protecting the quarterback’s blind side.

“Tyler you trust is going to be there as far as the quarterback trusting his left tackle,” Alstott said. “Tyler’s done a very good job. Being converted from a tight end to a tackle, he’s been very good.”

That trust isn’t felt by the quarterback alone. Alstott said Knight is a player who leads by example with his play on the field.

“He’s not a rah-rah type of guy,” Alstott said. “He’s guy that everybody trusts and everybody leans on to get the job done, especially on the offensive line.”

Another example of Knight’s trustworthiness has been his firm commitment to IU. Alstott said Knight hasn’t talked about taking any visits this fall. Northside Christian Academy normally does film review on Saturdays, but players are excused by Alstott if they have a visit scheduled.

“He’ll let me know,” Alstott said. “I’m sure he’ll go up there and watch a game.”

Northside finished as the Class 2A District 3 Runner Up in 2015 and secured a 22-18 road win over First Baptist Academy last Saturday for their first win of the 2016 season.

Win or lose, expect Knight to continue working on all aspects of his craft and be watching film each day.

“You look into it, he’s only played left tackle for 15 games, but he’s improving each and every practice and really is a student of the game,” Alstott said. “Watches a lot of film on himself, watches a lot of film on his opponents, his kick, his post, his drive-blocking, his first-step, which is very important for a lineman, hiis hand placement and also his punches. Knocking his chest over, leaning over too much, we talk about all that.

“It’s a situation where he’s doing well and working on all that stuff.”