Auburn Tigers fans may be feeling uneasy as their top quarterback recruit, Deuce Knight, was spotted on the sidelines at Ole Miss ahead of their game against No. 2 Georgia. Knight, a five-star quarterback from Mississippi, has been committed to Auburn since flipping from Notre Dame on October 2. His visit to Ole Miss, however, raises questions about his commitment, as he donned an Ole Miss hoodie and appeared to have on-field credentials.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is likely eyeing a quarterback to succeed Jaxson Dart, a senior, making Knight an attractive prospect. Despite Ole Miss’s typical recruiting challenges in the SEC, their recent success could tempt Knight to consider staying closer to home in Mississippi. Auburn’s struggles this season (3-6 overall, 1-5 in SEC) may add to fans’ concerns about retaining Knight’s commitment.
Currently, Auburn holds the fifth-best recruiting class in the nation and the fourth-best in the SEC, per 247Sports. However, their season’s disappointing performance has raised questions about the program’s direction under head coach Hugh Freeze. Despite high expectations for a resurgence, the Tigers have faced setbacks, placing near the bottom of the SEC standings.
Knight’s visit to Ole Miss adds to the uncertainty. The Rebels, ranked 21st in the country in recruiting, still lag behind many SEC programs, yet Kiffin’s success on the field this season may appeal to prospects like Knight. Ole Miss’s proximity to Knight’s hometown of Lucedale, Mississippi, might also play a role, especially as he would have the chance to step into a potentially high-profile role.
While there’s no confirmation that Knight is reconsidering his commitment, Auburn fans are on edge. Retaining him could be crucial for Auburn’s future prospects, especially as they look to strengthen the quarterback position. As the season unfolds, Auburn will need to reassure top recruits like Knight that they’re committed to a turnaround and capable of achieving the kind of progress they envisioned at the start of Freeze’s tenure.
