The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

RONDRE Knowles-Tener has signed with KMG Sports Management as he continues to boost his recruitment profile ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The former Virginia-Wise Cavaliers defensive tackle joined the Cincinnati, Ohio based agency that also represents several other 2022 draft hopefuls and current NFL players.

According to the organisation, “KMG Sports represents athletes and coaches in a wide range of professional sports including baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. Additionally, we represent collegiate basketball and football coaches and athletic directors in some of the premier conferences in the NCAA.”

The 6’1”, 305-pound defensive tackle finished with 2.5 sacks at the FCS National Bowl in Daytona Beach, Florida, last December.

The FCS National Bowl, presented by East Preps LLC, is an annual postseason all-star game featuring the best players from FCS or NCAA Division I-AA programmes.

As a senior, the Grand Bahama native was named to the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Players to Watch List.

He finished with 22 tackles, one sack, five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble in his final campaign with the Cavaliers. He was also recently profiled by NFL Draft Diamonds.

“Strict training and diet habits. But most importantly I’m going to enjoy the process. I’m looking forward to it,” he said of his preparation over the next few month. “Unlike a lot of guys my size, I have unusual quickness that most guys wouldn’t expect from me. That’s the first thing I hear everytime. I’m always looking to do my job then make the play.”

Coming out of high school at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia, Knowles-Tener originally committed to the East Carolina Pirates but eventually chose to join the programme at James Madison. After struggling to earn playing time in his first two seasons with the James Madison Dukes, Knowles- Tener decided to leave the programme and transfer to the Cavs.

In his first season with UVA, he finished with 21 tackles with three sacks, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries and one blocked kick.

As a junior, he became a force on the defensive line and led the team with seven sacks.

In addition to his career high sack numbers as a junior, he also reached several other career high marks this season with 41 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss (54 yards), and a team-leading four quarterback hurries.