Change is once again sweeping through Auburn football, and this time, it’s the quarterback room taking center stage. On December 30, 2025, multiple reports confirmed that freshman quarterback Deuce Knight, one of the most touted recruits in recent memory, has informed Auburn’s staff of his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it officially opens on January 2, 2026. Knight’s decision marks the third Auburn quarterback expected to depart, joining Jackson Arnold and Ashton Daniels, and sets the stage for a dramatic overhaul under new head coach Alex Golesh.
Knight’s journey to Auburn was headline-grabbing from the start. Ranked as a five-star prospect and considered the No. 28 overall player and No. 5 quarterback in the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite, and as high as No. 2 quarterback and No. 1 overall player in Mississippi by Rivals, Knight flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Auburn in December 2024. He was the highest-rated signee in Auburn’s 2025 class, and his arrival was seen as a potential turning point for the program.
Yet, Knight’s freshman campaign was a study in patience and flashes of brilliance. With Hugh Freeze at the helm to start the season, Auburn’s quarterback situation was anything but settled. Freeze initially leaned on fellow five-star Jackson Arnold, but after a rocky start in SEC play, turned to Ashton Daniels. The carousel continued as Daniels started key games against Kentucky and Vanderbilt before interim coach DJ Durkin made a strategic move late in the season, sitting Daniels to preserve his redshirt and giving Knight his first career start against Mercer on November 22, 2025.
What a debut it was. In a 62-17 rout of Mercer, Knight electrified the crowd and his teammates. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 162 yards and four touchdowns on just nine carries. His first play from scrimmage? A jaw-dropping 75-yard rushing touchdown. He followed that with another 51-yard dash at the end of the first quarter and a 91-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Malcolm Simmons. Knight’s six total touchdowns tied the Auburn program record for a single game, and his four rushing scores were the most by an Auburn quarterback in a debut since at least 1969, tying for fourth most in school history.
"To see Deuce get out there and get his first snaps and play like that was pretty amazing," interim coach DJ Durkin said after the game. "It was awesome to see his teammates rally around him, and really respond." The performance earned Knight SEC Freshman of the Week honors and sparked excitement throughout the Auburn fanbase, who began to wonder if they were witnessing the dawn of a new era at quarterback.
But college football is a game of constant motion. Despite his promise, Knight appeared in just two games in 2025, preserving his redshirt and maintaining four years of eligibility at his next stop. Auburn’s season ended with a 5-7 record, including a disappointing 1-7 mark in SEC play. The instability at quarterback was a recurring theme, and ultimately, Hugh Freeze was dismissed midway through the campaign. Auburn quickly hired Alex Golesh, formerly of USF, to chart a new course.
Golesh’s arrival has been met with optimism, but it also triggered a complete reset at the most important position on the field. In addition to Knight, both Arnold and Daniels are set to enter the transfer portal, leaving incoming freshman Rhys Brush as the only scholarship quarterback on the roster heading into the spring. Auburn has also been linked to former USF quarterback Byrum Brown, who has declared his own intention to enter the portal, with the Tigers considered a heavy favorite for his services.
For Knight, the decision to transfer comes amid a broader trend of high-profile quarterbacks seeking opportunities elsewhere. In fact, it marks the second consecutive year a promising Auburn freshman quarterback has opted to move on, following Walker White’s transfer to Baylor after the 2024 season. Knight’s recruitment is expected to be fierce, with several blue-blood programs already rumored as potential landing spots. LSU, Ole Miss, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Oregon are among the schools reportedly interested in adding the dynamic dual-threat talent to their ranks.
Knight’s career numbers at Auburn, though limited, underscore his potential: 17 completions on 28 attempts (68% completion), 259 passing yards, two touchdown passes, 178 rushing yards on 13 carries (13.7 yards per carry), and four rushing touchdowns. Those stats, coupled with his high school accolades and his memorable start against Mercer, make him one of the most intriguing names in this year’s transfer portal cycle.
The NCAA transfer portal window for FBS and FCS athletes has shifted this year, stretching from January 2 to January 16, 2026, with no spring window. Graduate transfers must also enter during this period. Players affected by coaching changes must now wait five days after a new coach is hired before a 15-day transfer window opens, provided the coaching change occurs after January 2. There’s an added wrinkle for players on teams competing in the College Football Playoff championship game on January 19, who will have until January 24 to enter the portal.
For Auburn, the quarterback reset is both a challenge and an opportunity. Golesh has made it clear he wants to retain players who wish to stay, stating, "My intent is to have everybody here that wants to be here." Yet, the reality is that the Tigers are staring at a near-total rebuild at quarterback, with the portal now their primary avenue to restock talent. The early signing of Rhys Brush offers some stability, but the pressure is on to attract experienced signal-callers who can compete in the SEC’s punishing environment.
As for Knight, his next chapter is about to begin. With four years of eligibility, a highlight-reel debut, and a pedigree that has drawn national attention, he’ll have no shortage of suitors. The coming weeks will reveal where one of college football’s brightest young quarterbacks will land—and whether Auburn can turn this latest upheaval into a foundation for future success.
The countdown to the transfer portal’s opening is on, and all eyes are on Deuce Knight and Auburn’s quarterback room. The only certainty right now is change—and plenty of intrigue as the Tigers and their former star recruit prepare to write their next chapters.
