By By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Dec. 20, 2001
East Central Community College tight end Frederick Knighten signed a football scholarship on Wednesday with the University of Tennessee at Martin.
The Division I-AA Skyhawks are coached by former Meridian Wildcat football player and Livingston (West Alabama) University head coach Sam McCorkle. They play in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Knighten, a Meridian High School product, helped pace the coach Terry Underwood's ECCC Warriors to consecutive 6-4 seasons.
Following an injury plagued freshmen season, Knighten (6-1, 245) started all 10 games for the Warriors in the 2001 season. East Central placed second in the Mississippi Junior College South Division and advanced to the playoffs against Mississippi Delta.
Knighten says he is excited about the opportunity to continue his education and play football at the senior college level.
McCorkle coached at Livingston, now West Alabama, back in the early 1990s. He then spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Mississippi Delta.
Knighten credited ECCC Coach Terry Underwood and his staff for preparing him for the next level.
Knighten is the son of Rosie Knighten of Meridian. While she is concerned about the long distance her son will be away, she is pleased with the choice.
Knighten did his part by hitting the books hard at East Central. He earned his associate degree this month and is now eligible to enter UT-Martin in January.
At Martin, Knighten is expected to be a part of an option-based, two-tight end offense.
UT-Martin finished 1-10 in 2001.