Auburn Tigers quarterback Deuce Knight (9) throws the ball during football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala., on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Following A-Day workouts, Auburn Tigers supporters have a lot to cheer about, as future quarterback Deuce Knight looks exceptional.
The Auburn Tigers wrapped up their annual A-Day spring game on Saturday, and while the final score didn’t matter much, one thing certainly did: the performance of the future. That future wears No. 5, and his name is Deuce Knight.
The highly-touted quarterback commit from Lucedale, Mississippi, didn’t just show up to Jordan-Hare Stadium—he showed out. Fans came looking for hope after a rebuilding 2024 campaign, and Knight delivered it in highlight-reel fashion. With poise beyond his years, a cannon for an arm, and legs that looked more like a seasoned SEC starter than a high school senior, Deuce Knight gave the Auburn faithful more than enough to be excited about.
Now, with buzz intensifying and social media ablaze, it’s safe to say Auburn’s A-Day didn’t just showcase spring progress—it marked the dawn of the Deuce Knight era.
A Dazzling Display
Though Knight won’t officially don the orange and blue until 2025, the early enrollee status and his participation in spring workouts have given fans and coaches alike a chance to preview what’s coming. Saturday’s scrimmage was his unofficial unveiling—and he didn’t disappoint.
Taking snaps in front of a packed crowd, Knight immediately looked the part. His deep ball was a thing of beauty, connecting on several long strikes that sent Jordan-Hare into a frenzy. One of the highlights was a 60-yard bomb dropped in-stride to freshman receiver Cam Coleman, who himself looked every bit the star Auburn needs him to be. That throw—off-platform, under pressure—wasn’t just impressive; it was elite.
Knight finished the day with 232 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and an additional 45 rushing yards on just four carries. The stats were solid, but the wow factor was what truly set his performance apart. There were moments when he escaped a collapsing pocket, moments when he threaded the needle between defenders, and moments when he simply made defenders miss in open space.
“He’s electric,” said offensive coordinator Derrick Nix. “You don’t see guys with that kind of maturity at that age. The decisions, the confidence, the command—it’s special.”
A Long Time Coming
For Auburn fans, the quarterback position has been a carousel since the days of Jarrett Stidham. While Bo Nix flashed potential before transferring and succeeding at Oregon, and Payton Thorne offered brief stability, there hasn’t been a true, long-term answer since Cam Newton captivated the nation in 2010.
That’s why Deuce Knight’s emergence matters.
Knight committed to Hugh Freeze’s Tigers in September of 2023, picking Auburn over Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. The commitment made national headlines. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, the dual-threat quarterback was ranked as a top-5 QB in the 2025 class, and his commitment was viewed as a landmark moment for Freeze’s rebuilding efforts.
Knight has only grown in stature since then—both literally and figuratively.
He’s put on muscle, sharpened his mechanics under Freeze’s watchful eye, and bought into the program from day one. And now, with A-Day in the rearview mirror, it’s clear: Deuce Knight isn’t just a future piece—he’s the future.
Fan Reaction: Hope Restored
If the buzz on message boards, Twitter, and even sports radio is any indication, Auburn fans are completely bought in. After years of middling quarterback play, there’s a renewed sense of excitement about what Knight can bring to the table.
One user on Auburn247’s message board wrote, “I haven’t felt this confident in a QB since Cam. Deuce is HIM.” Another fan posted a side-by-side of Knight’s A-Day highlights with Newton’s 2010 season and simply captioned it: “The second coming?”
While comparisons to Newton are premature—if not unfair—there’s no denying the energy Knight brings.
Students waited in line after the scrimmage to snap selfies and get autographs, while Freeze himself noted that Knight stayed nearly 40 minutes longer than scheduled, signing every piece of memorabilia put in front of him.
“This kid’s got it,” said long-time Auburn fan Terrance Webb. “We’ve had flashes, but Deuce just feels different. You can see it in the way the team responds to him. It’s not just about the arm—it’s about the attitude.”
Freeze’s Vision Takes Shape
For Hugh Freeze, A-Day was a culmination of months of quiet development—and a sign that his quarterback room is starting to reflect his long-term vision. Freeze has emphasized dual-threat playmakers in his previous stops at Liberty and Ole Miss, and Knight is the crown jewel of that philosophy.
“Deuce is still young, still raw,” Freeze said after the scrimmage. “But man, the ceiling is scary high. And he’s hungry to get better. That’s the part that excites me.”
Freeze also took time to highlight Knight’s leadership, noting that the young quarterback has been intentional about building relationships with the Tigers’ skill players. Over spring break, Knight reportedly organized workouts with Coleman, fellow freshman receiver Bryce Cain, and sophomore tight end Micah Riley.
“He’s already leading, and he hasn’t even played a down of SEC football yet,” Freeze added.
Development Still Key
While the excitement is warranted, Freeze and the coaching staff have been careful to temper expectations. As dazzling as Knight looked, he’s still a high school senior going up against a mix of scholarship and walk-on defenders.
But even in that context, what stood out wasn’t just talent—it was decision-making.
Knight took care of the football. He checked down when necessary. He didn’t force throws into coverage. And when he ran, it was with purpose—not panic.
That’s a testament to the work being done behind closed doors with Auburn quarterbacks coach Kent Austin, who has quietly molded the room into one of the most competitive on the Plains in recent memory. Payton Thorne’s return for his final year provides a valuable bridge, and redshirt freshman Hank Brown has improved significantly.
Still, Freeze has left the door open: if Knight keeps progressing, don’t rule out the possibility of him pushing for meaningful snaps by the time SEC play begins.
“We’re gonna play the best guy,” Freeze said. “Whether that’s a veteran or a freshman, we’re not going to limit ourselves.”
What Comes Next?
Knight now returns to his high school for a final semester, but he’ll rejoin Auburn full-time in June for summer workouts and fall camp. By then, the quarterback competition will be in full swing.
Many expect Thorne to start the season as QB1, with Knight easing in as a package player—perhaps even in red zone scenarios where his mobility can shine.
But if A-Day was any indication, the countdown to the Deuce Knight era may be shorter than anyone expected.
Fans will watch closely as Auburn kicks off its 2025 campaign with a non-conference slate that includes tough matchups against Baylor and Appalachian State before diving into the SEC gauntlet. Should Thorne struggle early—or should Knight continue to make rapid strides—the coaching staff may have a decision to make.
Either way, Auburn’s quarterback future looks brighter than it has in over a decade.
Deuce Knight’s Words Say It All
Perhaps the best indicator of what Auburn is getting came in Knight’s own words after the scrimmage.
“I committed to Auburn because I saw the vision,” Knight said. “Coach Freeze told me I could be part of something special, and I believe that. But we’re not there yet. I’ve got work to do.”
Then he added, “I don’t want to just be a great player here—I want to be a great leader. I want to win titles.”
It’s that mindset, as much as the raw ability, that has Auburn fans dreaming big. A-Day 2025 may have belonged to the team, but the spotlight squarely landed on No. 5—and from the looks of it, that spotlight won’t be leaving him anytime soon.
The Promise of Deuce Knight
Every so often, a program finds itself at a turning point. For Auburn, A-Day may well be remembered as one of those moments. Not because of a score or a trophy, but because a young man named Deuce Knight stepped onto Pat Dye Field and gave 80,000 fans a reason to believe again.
This wasn’t just a spring scrimmage—it was a glimpse into what could be.
With a fanbase starving for elite quarterback play, a coach who’s finally building his roster his way, and a quarterback who seems to have it all—Auburn may not be back yet, but it sure feels like it’s on the way.
And Deuce Knight might just be the one leading the charge.
