Auburn flipped top 2025 quarterback recruit Deuce Knight. What could be next for its recruiting class?

10/04/2024 12:53 PM

Knight now is at the forefront of a Top 3 class in the cycle, with the Tigers looking to push for the overall No. 1 class in 2025.

The Auburn Tigers made the headlines this week when they finally were able to flip high four-star quarterback Deuce Knight from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, getting the headliner of their 2025 recruiting class well before National Signing Day.

This move had been flirted around for a while, but Knight finally shut down the rumors with the announcement that he had flipped to Auburn, providing the Tigers with their lone quarterback in the Class of 2025.

Knight now is at the forefront of a Top 3 class in the cycle, with the Tigers looking to push for the overall No. 1 class in 2025 with a number of major recruitments still open.

How did we get here and what type of player is the four-star quarterback?

Knight's recruitment

Boasting 25 scholarship offers, Knight initially got an offer from Auburn back in January of 2023 and Notre Dame back in March of 2023 during the time when his recruitment really started to take off.

Ahead of his junior season, both schools seemed to be a part of the focus for the four-star quarterback, as he took a late summer visit to Notre Dame before ultimately pledging to the Fighting Irish in September of 2023.

Knight provided Notre Dame with an elite quarterback commit in the 2025 class after they landed four-star C.J. Carr in the 2024 class, cementing the future at the position.

But, the Auburn buzz never died down and Knight didn't shy away from his connection to the school, as the quarterback took multiple unofficial visits to Auburn to start the season before finally taking an official visit with the Tigers last weekend.

Shortly after, the four-star pulled the trigger on his decision, de-committing from Notre Dame and verbally committing to Auburn in a massive recruiting win for head coach Hugh Freeze.

What type of player is Deuce Knight?

Knight has been one of the more heralded quarterback recruits in the Class of 2025, earning a consensus high four-star star status from a number of recruiting sites.

Knight is one of the top dual-threat options in the nation, standing at 6'5", 205 pounds, while having the ability to take off with his feet on any given play. A left-handed quarterback, Knight is an elite athlete, which gives him a high ceiling if he can continue growing into his physical frame, while refining his skills as a quarterback.

The George County quarterback started the season off well, having an efficient performance in a blowout win over East Central before tossing for five touchdowns in Week 2. While a recent injury has hampered him, he's shown flashes of the potential that has made him such a high recruit already in 2024.

He's coming off a 2023 season where he threw for 2,047 yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions through the air, while also contributing nearly 500 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

What's next for Auburn?

Knight's commitment is a major recruiting win for Hugh Freeze's staff, as they've locked up a top player at the most important position in football.

Currently holding the No. 3 class in the nation, Auburn isn't close to done, and are looking to flip a number of players or rise to the top with some open commitments.

A name that has been floated out there is fellow Mississippi recruit five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham, who is seen as the top player in the state, and is currently committed to Alabama.

But, Auburn has other targets on their board as well, with five-star offensive lineman Andrew Babalola remaining as one of the top uncommitted recruits in the class, and the Tigers seem to be firmly in the mix there, with Knight's commitment likely helping their efforts to land some of these top players.

Four-star running back Ousmane Kromah's decision will come this weekend, with the Tigers being a finalist there as well in search of another back for their 2025 class.

Overall, despite their current record, Auburn is primed for success in the future, with their 2025 class potentially leading the charge, thanks to a big commitment from Deuce Knight.