The Auburn Tigers wrapped up their spring practices in a nontraditional way. Instead of the usual intrasquad scrimmage, the SEC program held a one-hour practice session that was open to the media. During the final team period of the day, it was freshman quarterback Deuce Knight—not veteran star—who led Hugh Freeze’s offense.
In a surprise to many fans, top star, the former five-star prospect and Oklahoma transfer, was absent from the field. He did not suit up for the session, and head coach Hugh Freeze later revealed that the dual-threat quarterback was sidelined due to a hamstring issue. Freeze called it a precautionary move, but he was spotted wearing a leg sleeve as he watched from the sidelines.
With veteran star unavailable, Deuce Knight took the reins of the offense during the most intense segment of the open practice. Although his first end zone attempt to Bryce Cain was picked off, Knight bounced back by finding transfer receiver Horatio Fields for his first touchdown of the live team session.
Earlier in the practice, quarterback John Colvin led the offense before Deuce Knight took over, guiding his unit to a 14-0 advantage. While both Colvin and Knight impressed during their time under center, Jackson Arnold is still expected to be Auburn’s starting quarterback—provided he’s healthy.
Arnold, in his second season at Oklahoma last year, threw for 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 560 yards and four scores. In his first start against an SEC opponent, Arnold struggled, completing just 7 of 16 passes for 54 yards and a pick before being benched. However, after backup Michael Hawkins faltered, Arnold reclaimed the starting job and finished strong, posting six touchdowns without an interception over his final six games.