Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is already looking ahead to the future of his quarterback room, and freshman Deuce Knight is stealing the spotlight. Speaking to SEC media expert Paul Finebaum on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Freeze confirmed that Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold is the likely starter for the 2025 season but couldn’t help gushing about Knight, a former five-star recruit from Lucedale, Mississippi. “I love Deuce Knight. He is going to be a special talent,” Freeze said, setting high expectations for the true freshman who joined Auburn as the No. 5 quarterback in the 2025 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
Knight, a dual-threat talent, brings impressive credentials with 2,067 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, plus 450 rushing yards and 12 scores in his senior year at George County High School. Freeze praised Knight’s arm strength, noting, “He can make every single throw as a true freshman, and I haven’t seen that a lot.” He also highlighted Knight’s intangibles: a magnetic demeanor, humility, and a “zero excuse maker” mentality. “He’s got this humility… there was not one time in spring ball where something didn’t go his way and it was always him taking the blame,” Freeze added, emphasizing Knight’s work ethic and football IQ.
While Knight is the shiny new toy, Freeze is also managing expectations for Arnold, who transferred to Auburn after starting four games for Oklahoma in 2024 before being benched for a freshman. “Jackson, it’s his [job], but I want him looking over his shoulder knowing that ‘Man, dang, Deuce sure did have a dang good practice today,’” Freeze told Finebaum, per On3. Arnold showed growth during spring practices, with Freeze noting, “I saw a growing confidence through him all the way through spring.” The quarterback room, which also includes Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels, is shaping up to be a competitive battle as Auburn prepares for their season opener against Ball State on August 30 at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network.
For Auburn, which finished 2024 at 5-7 and missed a bowl game, the stakes are high as they aim to rebound in 2025. Knight’s potential could accelerate that timeline, but Arnold’s experience gives him the edge for now. Freeze’s comments suggest he’s playing the long game with Knight, whose “sky’s the limit” upside might push Arnold—or even take the reins early if he shines in fall camp. Tigers fans will be watching closely to see if Knight can live up to the hype and become the program’s quarterback of the future.
