Terrance Knighton

Biography

Terrance Knighton enters his second season as Florida State's defensive line coach in 2026 after being hired on December 6, 2024. Under Knighton's leadership in 2025, senior Darrell Jackson Jr. earned honorable mention All-ACC recognition after a career-high 45 tackles. True freshman Mandrell Desir was a Freshman All-American and runner-up for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. Desir's 6.5 sacks were the most for an FSU true freshman since 2016, when current New York Giant Brian Burns had 9.5. Desir also ended his season with at least 0.5 sacks in five consecutive games, the first Seminole to do that since ACC Defensive Player of the Year DeMarcus Walker in 2016. Desir's sacks and TFL totals led all ACC freshmen. Darryll Desir, Mandrell's twin brother, added 23 tackles, 1.0 sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Darryll Desir's seven tackles at NC State were the most for a true freshman defensive lineman at FSU since College Football Hall of Famer Ron Simmons in 1977. Knighton's first game at Florida State, against No. 8 Alabama, saw his Seminoles hold the Crimson Tide to just 87 rushing yards, including 32 yards on 17 carries after the opening drive. FSU held No. 3 Miami to 97 rushing yards and Kent State to 43 rushing yards, the fewest in head coach Mike Norvell's six seasons at Florida State. Along with Jackson and the Desir twins, five other Seminoles started on the defensive lin