Waiting has become a habit for Jets rookie running back Zonovan 'Bam' Knight over the last four months.
In April, Knight, who expected to be selected in the fifth or sixth rounds of the NFL Draft, didn't hear his name called amongst the 262 picks before signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent.
Heading into Tuesday's NFL roster cut-down, Knight had to wait again. But this time, he was picked for a spot on the Jets' 53-player roster.
"I didn't really know for sure until this morning," Knight saidfollowing Tuesday's practice. "Everybody just kind of saying congratulations to everybody that came. I thought they still had until 4:00 to finalize everything, so I was still kind of on the edge while waiting."
The North Carolina State product got a chance to celebrate Tuesday after final cuts. And naturally, the first person he told was his mom.
"I texted my mom," Knight said. "She said congrats and said it was all God. It was bigger than that."
See the 53-man roster in photos leading up to the 2022 season.
S Tony Adams
LB Kwon Alexander
WR Braxton Berrios
T Duane Brown
TE Lawrence Cager
RB Michael Carter
CB Michael Carter II
DL Micheal Clemons
TE Tyler Conklin
S Ashtyn Davis
WR Corey Davis
CB Brandin Echols
T George Fant
OL Dan Feeney
QB Joe Flacco
DL John Franklin-Myers
CB Sauce Gardner
RB Breece Hall
CB Bryce Hall
CB Justin Hardee
LB Marcell Harris
LS Thomas Hennessy
OL Nate Herbig
DL Bryce Huff
DE Jermaine Johnson
RB Ty Johnson
S Lamarcus Joyner
DE Carl Lawson
P Braden Mann
DE Jacob Martin
OL Conor McDermott
C Connor McGovern
WR Denzel Mims
OL Max Mitchell
WR Elijah Moore
LB C.J. Mosley
DL Sheldon Rankins
CB D.J. Reed
TE Jeremy Ruckert
DL Nathan Shepherd
LB Jamien Sherwood
WR Jeff Smith
DL Solomon Thomas
OL Laken Tomlinson
TE C.J. Uzomah
OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
QB Mike White
S Jordan Whitehead
LB Quincy Williams
DL Quinnen Williams
WR Garrett Wilson
QB Zach Wilson
K Greg Zuerlein
Knight knew he had his work cut out for him when he arrived at One Jets Drive this summer. The Jets running back room featured veterans Michael Carter, Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman La'Mical Perine and 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall.
"I knew it was kind of an old running back room," Knight said. "So, I knew I had to make an impact not only in that room but on special teams and try to find a way to be impactful."
He made a mark on the coaches with position flexibility,impressing both as a running back and kick returner.
On what he thought made the difference in making the initial roster, Knight said: "I think it was kick return. I think that was probably the difference if I had to guess."
Knight led all NCAA returners with a 34.4-yard average on 16 attempts in 2021, totaling two kickoff return touchdowns last season and three scores in 2020-21.
In the Green & White's three preseason games, Knight led the team with 141 kick return yards on five attempts. He averaged 28.2 yards, second most in the NFL, and posted a 52-yard return against Philadelphia. He also rushed for 53 yards on 15 carries in summer action (3.5 yds/att) and wouldn't be denied on a 2-yard scoring run against the Eagles.
"It means a lot," Knight said. "I knew coming in that it was going to be a lot of work, especially going in with LP [La'Mical Perine] and Teco [Tevin Coleman]. I knew it was going to be a battle from the jump."
Knight and S Tony Adams were the Jets' only undrafted free agent signings to make the roster.
"It is hard to make it as an undrafted free agent," head coach Robert Saleh said. "It was really cool to see TA and [Knight] seize their opportunity and make the most of it. Bam is another young man that we think matches our running style."
