The Rhein Fire signed wide receiver/kick returner Kelvin McKnight Jr. for the 2024 season on Friday.
Kelvin McKnight Jr. is five foot nine and weighs 189 pounds. The 26-year-old from Bradenton, Florida, made five catches for 37 yards, 35 kick returns for 748 yards, and 30 punt returns for 235 yards in nine games for the Seattle Sea Dragons (XFL) in 2023. The Sea Dragons signed McKnight Jr. as a free agent on January 1, 2023.
Before Seattle, McKnight Jr. signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2019 before signing with the New England Patriots and was placed on the practice squad. After the Patriots released him, he returned to the Denver Broncos and was placed on the practice squad.
Then, McKnight Jr. signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent on June 15, 2021. McKnight Jr. made 15 catches for 96 yards, nine punt returns for 34 yards, and one kick return for eight yards in eight games before spending the rest of the season on the practice squad. The Blue Bombers released McKnight Jr. on October 4, 2022.
Collegiately, McKnight Jr. played four seasons at Samford University (2015-18) making 313 catches for 4,144 yards, 32 touchdowns, 17 carries for 120 yards, one touchdown, 20 carries for 108 yards, one touchdown, three kick returns for 66 yards, 74 punt returns for 643 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (2 solo) in 44 games for the Bulldogs.
McKnight was named SoCon Freshmen of the Year in 2015, Second Team All-SoCon in 2016, a two-time First Team All-SoCon (2017-18), and a two-time FCS All-American (2017-18).
