Da’Jon McKnight came a long way to, at Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Da’Jon McKnight’s career at Minnesota is coming to an end.

McKnight is one of 24 seniors on the roster this season. The Gophers will finish 2011 by hosting Illinois on Saturday afternoon.

The wide receiver from Dallas was a late bloomer who didn’t play football until his senior year in high school. After learning behind Eric Decker he flourished last season during quarterback Adam Weber’s senior year with 750 yards and 10 touchdowns.

This season hasn’t been as smooth, with another new offense to learn and a breaking-in process for quarterback MarQueis Gray. But McKnight says he’s proud of the hard work he’s put in, playing through a knee problem while being patient with Gray’s development.