Auburn has secured a commitment from quarterback prospect Deuce Knight, hailing from George County High School in Lucedale, Mississippi, on Wednesday evening. Knight’s decision to join the Tigers was anticipated, as he had been previously committed to Notre Dame since September 2023 but had frequently visited Auburn throughout the summer. Living just northwest of Mobile, Alabama, Knight had easy access to Auburn, attending several games, including an official visit over the past weekend.
Initially, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff focused their recruitment efforts on Juju Lewis from Carrollton, Georgia, for the quarterback position in the 2025 signing class. However, rumors circulated on message boards regarding NIL requests, prompting Auburn to shift its focus to Knight. His commitment has propelled Auburn to the No. 3 recruiting class nationally, trailing only Ohio State and Alabama, and slightly ahead of SEC rivals such as LSU, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee, with Texas A&M and Oklahoma rounding out the top ten.
Knight’s commitment significantly enhances an already strong recruiting class for Freeze, particularly in light of the talent being amassed across all three levels of the defense. The 2025 class is set to include five offensive linemen, a running back, two tight ends, and now a five-star quarterback, marking a promising future for the program. Furthermore, Knight’s presence could entice other talented prospects, such as Caleb Cunningham and Andrew Babalola, to consider joining Auburn, adding to the excitement surrounding the program.
From a positional perspective, Knight’s addition brings renewed competition to Auburn’s quarterback room, which has faced challenges in recent seasons. With current starter Payton Thorne expected to depart after this season, the Tigers will have a diverse pool of quarterbacks vying for the position in spring practice 2025. As it stands, the projected roster includes Hank Brown (redshirt sophomore), Holden Geriner (redshirt junior), Walker White (redshirt freshman), and Knight as a true freshman.
In this evolving quarterback landscape, Brown, who has shown promise as a reserve, might initially have the advantage to secure the first-team snaps during spring drills, although Knight’s athleticism and talent will likely provide him opportunities come August 2025. Brown’s past performance included three interceptions in one start against Arkansas, raising questions about his readiness for SEC competition. As the quarterback competition continues to shift, the results of the upcoming games and the performances during offseason practices will be crucial for both Knight and the other quarterbacks.
As Auburn heads into the remainder of the season and prepares for the future, the impact of Knight’s commitment is significant. His size, athleticism, and potential could prove pivotal in shaping the team’s offensive strategies, and his progression throughout the offseason will determine his role and future at Auburn. If Knight can ascend the depth chart, he could provide a beacon of hope for Auburn fans looking for a resurgence in their quarterback play.
