He was tops in ’21, but Miami RB Jaylan Knighton enters transfer portal after rough season

University of Miami third-year running back Jaylan Knighton persevered through a very tough season, earning high praise from coach Mario Cristobal for his resolve after Knighton’s season-best performance Nov. 12 at Georgia Tech.

But he finally chose to go another route.

Knighton, a Deerfield Beach High graduate and former Broward County rushing leader (5,150 yards), announced Tuesday that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal.

He was the Hurricanes’ leading rusher in 2021 with 561 yards and a team-best eight rushing touchdowns, as well as gaining 280 yards and three touchdowns receiving.

“Thank you for everything Miami,’’ Knighton, known as “Rooster” to those close to him, wrote on a Twitter post. “After much conversation, I’ve made a decision to enter the transfer portal. I’ve made many long lasting friendships at the U that will never be forgotten. For all that I’ve learned from every coach here, your teachings were not in vain and you are much appreciated. Thanks to those that have always supported me and to those that continue to support me. With God by my side I cannot go wrong! Jaylan Knighton #4.’’

This past season, when Miami finished 5-7, Knighton rushed for 435 yards and one touchdown on 78 carries in 10 games, a strong 5.4-yards-per-carry average after some breakout runs. He was UM’s second-leading rusher behind Henry Parrish Jr., an Ole Miss transfer who rushed for 635 yards and four touchdowns.

Cristobal sat Knighton during the Virginia game after a recurring fumbling problem. Multiple injuries along the offensive line didn’t help.

But Knighton never flinched, kept battling, then ran for 118 yards and his only touchdowns in UM’s 35-14 victory at Georgia Tech.

“Coach holding me to a standard as a running back,’’ Knighton said when asked about Cristobal being patient with him. “You look at the [Miami] history and see the names on the board. ...I gotta get held to that standard. Just come back to work, hold the ball tighter, get the job done — just like Coach asked.’’

Said Cristobal after Georgia Tech: “The best part of him is he has a lot of pride. He fumbled earlier this season and everybody is like [let him play]. No, let him earn it back. And he did by spending a ton of time on ball security, running harder, understanding the protection better. Just really fired up by Rooster and the way he played, but more importantly, how he approached adversity.

“He made a conscious decision to work hard, as opposed to grab your ball and go home... We’ve got to face our circumstances and adversity, come out and punch right back.’’

The next week at Clemson, however, Knighton, along with the rest of the Hurricanes, struggled. He ran eight times for 10 yards, then finished his UM career in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh with seven carries for 72 yards.

The Canes are in need of running backs. Their current scholarship backs are Parrish, Don Chaney Jr. and TreVonte’ Citizen. Citizen, who was a true freshman last season, tore his ACL during the preseason. Chaney sustained a hip injury and ran twice for 8 yards in the season finale.