“How a 2025 Elite QB Commit Went from “Go Irish!” to War Eagle: Deuce Knight’s Unexpected Flip”
Deuce Knight’s recruitment story reads like a blockbuster script, full of anticipation, suspense, and a dramatic twist that saw one of the nation’s most coveted quarterback prospects pivoting from Notre Dame to Auburn. At the heart of this saga is a talented left-handed signal-caller who captured the attention—and ultimately the commitment—of two storied programs in the span of just over a year.
A native of Lucedale, Mississippi, Deuce Knight emerged as a top-tier dual-threat quarterback throughout his high school career at George County (with a brief transfer to Lipscomb Academy in 2023), finishing with impressive stats: as a junior, he threw for 2,047 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 494 yards and 11 scores; his senior year added 2,082 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and nearly 450 rushing yards despite missing four games.
Knocked overall as a four-star recruit—and by some rankings even a five-star—Knight ranked among the top quarterbacks of the 2025 class in recruiting platforms like On3, Rivals, 247Sports, and was firmly on the radar of powerhouse programs across the country.
In September 2023, Deuce Knight publicly pledged his commitment to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ending months of intense recruitment from SEC programs including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Auburn. His official announcement—“Think Big ☘ Go Irish!!”—was met with enthusiasm from the Irish faithful, who viewed Knight as a marquee recruit destined to elevate the position group and the 2025 class as a whole.
Notre Dame had invested in Knight not just for his athletic upside but for the possibility of instilling leadership and longevity in its quarterback room. Knight spoke of his commitment as a chance to “bring a national championship back to Notre Dame,” reflecting big-picture aspirations beyond his own on-field role.
Despite the pomp of his pledge, murmurs of unease started to surface. C.J. Carr emerged as a future starting option at Notre Dame, prompting speculation Knight’s path to early playing time might be blocked—fueling whispers that the commitment was less secure than it seemed.
In summer 2024, Knight’s stock soared during high school season performances, highlighted by a five-touchdown game that week—yet the questions about his NCAA destination remained persistent as Auburn’s interest grew.
Notre Dame fans on message boards witnessed troubling signs. Despite being labeled “100% Irish” during the summer, skepticism grew as Knight continued to take visits elsewhere, most notably to Auburn. One frustrated commenter lamented:
On October 2, 2024, the football world was reminded that recruiting is also business. Knight officially decommitted from Notre Dame and shifted his allegiance to Auburn—his old flirtation had transformed into a full embrace.
The impact was immediate. Auburn vaulted into the top three nationally in the 2025 class rankings, while Notre Dame slipped, now facing the challenge of rebuilding one of its key position groups that Knight had once promised to anchor.
Auburn wasn’t just happy—they were energized. Knight brought not only elite physical traits—standing 6’4″, 205 lbs, a 42-inch vertical, left-handed throwing prowess—but also the promise of being a foundational piece in Hugh Freeze’s offense.
Notre Dame, on the other hand, watched the drama unfold with a mix of frustration and resignation. Sports Illustrated labeled it a “missed opportunity for all involved,” reflecting on how Knight’s flip remained a blow to both the program’s recruiting momentum and their quarterback stability.
The story of Deuce Knight is significant on multiple levels:
- Program Impact: Auburn gained a high-ceiling QB to lead its 2025 class, while Notre Dame was left scrambling to fill a suddenly open quarterback role.
- Recruiting Strategy: The flip underscored the fluid, business-like nature of modern recruiting—commitments aren’t sealed unless signed.
- Fan and Media Reaction: Notre Dame coined its frustration with decommitments; Auburn fans celebrated the flip as a symbol of recruiting ascent.
- Talent Evaluation: Knight’s dynamic athleticism, dual-threat upside, and combine-like traits made him a potential generational QB, intensifying the stakes.
Knight officially signed with Auburn on December 4, 2024, cementing the flip and bringing with him substantial hype and expectation. He enrolled early in January 2025 and began competing for a starting role alongside Ashton Daniels and Jackson Arnold—a sign that Auburn viewed him as not only a future star but a present-day contributor.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame recalibrated its quarterback room. CJ Carr moved forward as a likely starter, backup options shuffled, and the staff leaned on other recruits and transfers to fill the gap left by Knight’s departure.
Deuce Knight’s journey from “Go Irish!” to War Eagle stands as a high-profile example of how recruiting drama and elite talent intersect. What began as a celebrated pledge to Notre Dame evolved into one of Auburn’s biggest recruiting coups, with high stakes still playing out on college football fields this season—and seasons to come.
