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NATCHEZ — Natchez native and Mississippi State University legend Danny Knight, a member of the North Natchez High School Class of 1979, will be one of seven former Bulldogs athletes to be inducted into the MSU M-Club Sports Hall of Fame this Friday evening.

The inductions of the Class of 2024 will occur as part of the MSU M-Club Sports Hall of Fame Gala in Starkville. The induction ceremony starts at 7 p.m. on the MSU campus.

Knight found out back on May 3 that he was being inducted after a friend in Dallas submitted the recommendation. “I was very happy about it – for them nominating and putting me in,” he said.

There was one person who Danny wanted to recognize for helping him earlier on in his football playing career.

“I like to thank Samuel Carter, my middle school coach at Thompson Junior High School. He helped me out a whole lot with my career,” Danny said.

Danny played running back and then changed position to wide receiver during his playing days with the Bulldogs under head coach Emory Bellard from 1980 to 1983. As for whose idea it was for Danny to switch positions, Carl said, “I’m assuming his offensive (coordinator). I really don’t know.” Danny said it was Bellard himself who came up with the idea, adding, “He knew how to use his talent and put it on the field at one time.”

Knight played first two seasons in 1980 and 1981 at running back. While he was on the field for a total of 23 plays his freshman season in 1980, he saw more playing time in the backfield in his sophomore season in 1981. He had eight catches for 150 yards and one touchdown to go with 54 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Each of those seasons saw MSU play in bowl games.

“He missed the Sun Bowl against Nebraska because he had turf toe,” Carl Knight said.

Then he suddenly emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the Southeastern Conference in his junior year in 1982, when he was an All-SEC selection. That season, he had 37 receptions for 924 yards for an average of 25 yards per catch as well seven touchdowns. His senior season in 1983 wasn’t too shabby either — 34 catches for 671 yards (19.7 yards/reception) and two touchdowns.

When asked what Danny enjoyed most about playing football at Mississippi State, Carl said, “He played sports all his life, so it was the fellowship. I knew he had a special talent.” Later on, Danny said, “My teammates. I had a great time with them. We still stay in touch with each other after all these years. We still call each other.”

One thing both Danny and Carl agreed on what Danny’s best games came against rival Louisiana State University, especially when the Tigers had top-notch defenses back in the early 1980s.

“He played pretty good against LSU every year he was at State. They beat LSU he was there,” Carl said. “At that time, LSU was the No. 1 defense in the country.”

“I think was Florida and LSU that year (1982). I had like 120 yards and two or three touchdowns against Florida. Against LSU, I had one touchdown,” Danny said. “I have a good friend, Eugene Daniels, he played cornerback at LSU. He comes up here to Starkville some times. One time he told me, ‘You gave me nightmares every time I played against me because you were so fast.’ He went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts.

For his career, Knight had 81 total receptions for 1,773 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. His 21.89 yards per catch remains the most ever at Mississippi State for players who have caught 40 or more passes in a career.

And if that wasn’t enough, Knight still remains in the top 10 in Bulldogs history in career receiving yards and in the top five in single-game and single-season yardage.

After Knight’s playing career at Mississippi State University ended, he was selected in the first round with the 26^th overall pick of the 1984 National Football League (NFL) Supplemental Draft by the Miami Dolphins, but instead played for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL).

As for what Danny will enjoy most about the festivities and the induction ceremony itself Friday night, Carl said, “Probably hearing his name called and being recognized. The stats speak for themselves” while Danny himself said, “Being in with some great athletes. Meeting some athletes that have already been there.”