10th in a series
Where Are They Now? Gopher Da’Jon McKnight, WR (2008-2011)
Da’Jon McKnight was a 2008 recruit of Tim Brewster out of Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas. He was one of the Gophers' “Skyline 3”, along with teammates Spencer Reeves and Troy Stoudermire. At 6’3”, 210 lbs., Da’Jon had a 2-star, 5.3 Rivals ranking as a safety. After just one season of playing wide receiver in high school, he went on to be a 4-year letter winner at Minnesota as a wide receiver, playing in 46 games and starting 30. He ranks among the top 10 all-time Gopher wide receivers in several categories – 10th in career receptions (119), 7th in career receiving yards (1859), tied for 6th in career receiving TDs (15), 3rd in single season receiving TDs (10) He had a career single-game best against Michigan State in 2011, with 9 catches for 173 yards and 3 TDs.
Interview Questions:
1. How is your physical health, 7 years removed from your college football career? Do you have lingering effects from concussions or any other football injuries?
The last time I was healthy was my sophomore year in college. I played through a sports hernia my junior year. It was so bad that I couldn’t finish practices towards the end of the season. I dislocated my kneecap and damaged the cartilage underneath in the spring of my senior year, and played on a swollen knee the whole year. Sadly, I had to get surgery and it was a career ending one. It’s called ACI. I still have lingering effects from the surgery but I’m able to play basketball and some flag football every now and then.
2. I believe you played 3 seasons under Coach Brewster, and 1 under Coach Kill. How would you compare your experiences under each, and how difficult was the transition?
Coach Brew was the ultimate players’ coach. He always found a way to bring the best out of you on and off the field. His energy was contagious and made you want to match it every snap. Kill was the more laid back coach. He was all about effort and consistency. One of the better player coaches as well. Both made me a better man.
3. Your Rivals page described you as a high school safety. Were you recruited by Minnesota as a wide receiver, or as a safety and then switched to wide receiver?
I was recruited to play safety but after a full year of playing receiver in high school, I switched over. I changed over to receiver once I stepped on campus.
4. What are some of your favorite memories of your time at Minnesota (on and/or off the field)?
Just developing the friendships that’ll last a lifetime. I also miss the Fridays before the game at the hotel.
5. What is your favorite Coach Brewster story? Coach Kill?
Coach Kill blasting me on a YouTube episode about cut blocking. I had never done it before so he made me go back over and over till I got it right, haha. Coach Brewster running “pat and go” with us and trying to relive his younger days on the field was the best.
6. What Gopher loss from your playing days stung/stings the worst?
NDSU (37-24 over Gophs in 2011) for sure. I wish I had known how big the rivalry was when I was playing. Probably would’ve iced more that week.
7. What was the most satisfying Gopher win of your career?
Iowa my junior and senior years. I’m from Texas so I’m not sure why we hate Iowa, but I learned to do so. And beating them twice at home was fulfilling.
8. What important life lessons did you learn from your football experiences?
Not everyone has the same mindset as you and not everything is meant for you. Find out what you’re good at, and do it well.
9. Did you get your degree from the U of M? What was your field of study?
Yes I did. I majored in youth studies.
10. Tell us about your work/career path after football at the U of M, your current work situation, and your career plans.
I currently manage two group homes for kids and adults with autism. I have been in this field for 5 years. Not sure what I want to do after, so I’m just gaining as much experience as I can till I figure that out.
11. Do you have any family/relationship news you want to share?
I have a one-year anniversary coming up with my girlfriend.
12. How actively do you follow Gopher football? Do you attend any games? Are you a member of the MN Rivals site? How do you receive most of your Gopher sports news and information? Do you keep in touch with any former GG teammates?
I follow it, but not as much as I used to. Attending games are still hard for me because of the injury I suffered. It took me away from the game as I was beginning to peak and get comfortable with football. My recruiting class have a group message together and are pretty close. We talk every day and Gopher sports come up quite a bit.
13. Does the current Gopher coaching staff make contact with you and your teammates?
I receive the random invites to things but no one has physically reached out. I’m not sure how the new coaches feel about the guys from the Brewster era.
14. Do you have any Gopher tattoos? (Pics if possible)
I do not.
15. Are you active on social media? Which platforms?
Facebook, Instagram, and twitter (not as much).
16. Are you involved in any sports/fitness/physical activities and/or coaching? Please describe.
I play in multiple basketball leagues. Lifetime (Fitness) and some pro am ones. Trying to find a couple of flag football leagues to get into. I’m going to New York at the end of August to play in the Lifetime national tournament. I’m also playing in a flag football tournament coming up in September.
17. Concussions and CTE are on the minds of many sports fans and participants. If you have kids, do you think you'll encourage or allow them to play tackle football?
I’ll let my kids decide what they want to play. I’ll do how my dad did us, just put every sports item in a room and see which one they gravitate towards.
18. Have you done anything exciting/unusual/inspiring since your football days? (e.g.- travel, volunteering, community activities, martial arts training, water color painting, etc.)
I volunteer at Chad Greenway’s camp every year. It’s called “A day to reach”. I also took up boxing for a short time. Might try Mixed Martial Arts. My mom was a big karate freak growing up so I think I’ll like the workouts.
19. What are you most passionate about?
Giving back and helping others. Working with kids and adults with autism I’m get that rewarding feeling. Seeing them grow and do things people said they could never do is what I live for.
20. What might Gopher fans be surprised to learn about you?
I was actually ranked in the state of Texas in basketball and had some D1/D2 opportunities. I also hold one record at the U and that’s the most 3 touchdown games in a season.
We were the Gopher 4: Jeanine Cooper, Spencer Reeves, Troy Stoudermire, and myself.
21. Do you have any message for Gopher fans, Coach Fleck, or the current team? What is your prediction for the 2018 season record?
Be the change the state is waiting for. Mindset is everything. Record wise, hopefully above .500, LOL.
Where Are They Now? Gopher Da’Jon McKnight, WR (2008-2011)
Da’Jon McKnight was a 2008 recruit of Tim Brewster out of Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas. He was one of the Gophers' “Skyline 3”, along with teammates Spencer Reeves and Troy Stoudermire. At 6’3”, 210 lbs., Da’Jon had a 2-star, 5.3 Rivals ranking as a safety. After just one season of playing wide receiver in high school, he went on to be a 4-year letter winner at Minnesota as a wide receiver, playing in 46 games and starting 30. He ranks among the top 10 all-time Gopher wide receivers in several categories – 10th in career receptions (119), 7th in career receiving yards (1859), tied for 6th in career receiving TDs (15), 3rd in single season receiving TDs (10) He had a career single-game best against Michigan State in 2011, with 9 catches for 173 yards and 3 TDs.
Interview Questions:
1. How is your physical health, 7 years removed from your college football career? Do you have lingering effects from concussions or any other football injuries?
The last time I was healthy was my sophomore year in college. I played through a sports hernia my junior year. It was so bad that I couldn’t finish practices towards the end of the season. I dislocated my kneecap and damaged the cartilage underneath in the spring of my senior year, and played on a swollen knee the whole year. Sadly, I had to get surgery and it was a career ending one. It’s called ACI. I still have lingering effects from the surgery but I’m able to play basketball and some flag football every now and then.
2. I believe you played 3 seasons under Coach Brewster, and 1 under Coach Kill. How would you compare your experiences under each, and how difficult was the transition?
Coach Brew was the ultimate players’ coach. He always found a way to bring the best out of you on and off the field. His energy was contagious and made you want to match it every snap. Kill was the more laid back coach. He was all about effort and consistency. One of the better player coaches as well. Both made me a better man.
3. Your Rivals page described you as a high school safety. Were you recruited by Minnesota as a wide receiver, or as a safety and then switched to wide receiver?
I was recruited to play safety but after a full year of playing receiver in high school, I switched over. I changed over to receiver once I stepped on campus.
4. What are some of your favorite memories of your time at Minnesota (on and/or off the field)?
Just developing the friendships that’ll last a lifetime. I also miss the Fridays before the game at the hotel.
5. What is your favorite Coach Brewster story? Coach Kill?
Coach Kill blasting me on a YouTube episode about cut blocking. I had never done it before so he made me go back over and over till I got it right, haha. Coach Brewster running “pat and go” with us and trying to relive his younger days on the field was the best.
6. What Gopher loss from your playing days stung/stings the worst?
NDSU (37-24 over Gophs in 2011) for sure. I wish I had known how big the rivalry was when I was playing. Probably would’ve iced more that week.
7. What was the most satisfying Gopher win of your career?
Iowa my junior and senior years. I’m from Texas so I’m not sure why we hate Iowa, but I learned to do so. And beating them twice at home was fulfilling.
8. What important life lessons did you learn from your football experiences?
Not everyone has the same mindset as you and not everything is meant for you. Find out what you’re good at, and do it well.
9. Did you get your degree from the U of M? What was your field of study?
Yes I did. I majored in youth studies.
10. Tell us about your work/career path after football at the U of M, your current work situation, and your career plans.
I currently manage two group homes for kids and adults with autism. I have been in this field for 5 years. Not sure what I want to do after, so I’m just gaining as much experience as I can till I figure that out.
11. Do you have any family/relationship news you want to share?
I have a one-year anniversary coming up with my girlfriend.
12. How actively do you follow Gopher football? Do you attend any games? Are you a member of the MN Rivals site? How do you receive most of your Gopher sports news and information? Do you keep in touch with any former GG teammates?
I follow it, but not as much as I used to. Attending games are still hard for me because of the injury I suffered. It took me away from the game as I was beginning to peak and get comfortable with football. My recruiting class have a group message together and are pretty close. We talk every day and Gopher sports come up quite a bit.
13. Does the current Gopher coaching staff make contact with you and your teammates?
I receive the random invites to things but no one has physically reached out. I’m not sure how the new coaches feel about the guys from the Brewster era.
14. Do you have any Gopher tattoos? (Pics if possible)
I do not.
15. Are you active on social media? Which platforms?
Facebook, Instagram, and twitter (not as much).
16. Are you involved in any sports/fitness/physical activities and/or coaching? Please describe.
I play in multiple basketball leagues. Lifetime (Fitness) and some pro am ones. Trying to find a couple of flag football leagues to get into. I’m going to New York at the end of August to play in the Lifetime national tournament. I’m also playing in a flag football tournament coming up in September.
17. Concussions and CTE are on the minds of many sports fans and participants. If you have kids, do you think you'll encourage or allow them to play tackle football?
I’ll let my kids decide what they want to play. I’ll do how my dad did us, just put every sports item in a room and see which one they gravitate towards.
18. Have you done anything exciting/unusual/inspiring since your football days? (e.g.- travel, volunteering, community activities, martial arts training, water color painting, etc.)
I volunteer at Chad Greenway’s camp every year. It’s called “A day to reach”. I also took up boxing for a short time. Might try Mixed Martial Arts. My mom was a big karate freak growing up so I think I’ll like the workouts.
19. What are you most passionate about?
Giving back and helping others. Working with kids and adults with autism I’m get that rewarding feeling. Seeing them grow and do things people said they could never do is what I live for.
20. What might Gopher fans be surprised to learn about you?
I was actually ranked in the state of Texas in basketball and had some D1/D2 opportunities. I also hold one record at the U and that’s the most 3 touchdown games in a season.
We were the Gopher 4: Jeanine Cooper, Spencer Reeves, Troy Stoudermire, and myself.
21. Do you have any message for Gopher fans, Coach Fleck, or the current team? What is your prediction for the 2018 season record?
Be the change the state is waiting for. Mindset is everything. Record wise, hopefully above .500, LOL.
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