Auburn football Class of 2025 quarterback Deuce Knight isn’t openly chasing the starting job heading into his freshman year. For now, all signs point to Jackson Arnold having the QB1 role firmly secured on the Plains. Arnold has even opted out of the Manning Passing Academy to continue building chemistry with his teammates.
As for Knight, he’s focused on a different objective: being the best teammate he can be in whatever role is needed.
“It’s been big because I’m someone who has to go out and learn by doing,” Knight told AL.com. “Getting all these reps has helped me get more familiar with the offense and recognize different looks defensively. It’s all about figuring out how to play faster.
“I just show up every day looking to improve. I’m not caught up in the big picture right now—just focused on getting better and being a great teammate. That’s really all it is.”
Knight also praised Arnold for being a valuable resource and leader, saying, “If we’re going over a script late at night, I’ll call Jackson with a question, and he always has an answer. It’s like having another coach on the field. Plus, he’s a fun guy—he plays around a lot, and in some ways, we’re pretty similar.”
Arnold still has three years of eligibility remaining, and while Knight is content with his role for now, it remains to be seen how long he’ll be satisfied playing a backup role. Two redshirt years could be on the table, but by Arnold’s senior season—assuming he hasn’t declared for the NFL—something may have to give.
Of course, college football is ever-changing, and looking three years down the road is nearly impossible to predict. Even a coaching change could alter the quarterback landscape, especially with Hugh Freeze’s job security in question after back-to-back losing seasons.
For now, though, Knight is locked in on contributing however he can—even if it means spending most of his freshman season on the sidelines.