When Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold sat out Auburn’s spring game due to a minor injury, it created the potential for a turbulent summer. Freshman Deuce Knight, a four-star recruit, turned heads with a strong performance on A-Day, prompting head coach Hugh Freeze to manage the growing excitement around the young signal-caller.
In an interview with Mike Gittens of the War Rapport on Wednesday, Freeze addressed the situation by naming Arnold—the former five-star recruit and redshirt sophomore—as Auburn’s starting quarterback going into Freeze’s third season. After back-to-back losing seasons with Payton Thorne under center and coming off a 5-7 record, Freeze, whose job security is becoming increasingly uncertain, is relying on the more seasoned Arnold to bring much-needed stability to the offense.
Freeze and Jackson Arnold formed an ideal pairing this offseason. After being benched at Oklahoma in favor of freshman Michael Hawkins, Arnold needed a fresh chance to start, while Freeze was searching for a skilled quarterback to complement the roster he’s been building over the past two years.
Arnold’s time with the Sooners was hampered by a depleted wide receiver corps, but at Auburn, he’s surrounded by talent—most notably former five-star Cam Coleman entering his second year and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr. Still, after Deuce Knight’s impressive A-Day performance, Arnold finds himself in a familiar situation: another talented freshman lurking behind him.
Hugh Freeze names Jackson Arnold Auburn’s starting QB over Deuce Knight
Freeze is effectively undertaking a quarterback reclamation project with Arnold, aiming to rebuild his confidence—just as coaches in the NFL have done with Tua Tagovailoa and Sam Darnold. Naming Arnold the starter not only gives the veteran QB clarity and support but also protects Knight’s development.
Knight, a 6-foot-4, 213-pound dual-threat with an elite left arm and track-star athleticism, is already ahead of schedule. But Freeze is careful not to rush him. Young quarterbacks with physical tools can lean too much on athleticism when thrown in early, potentially stalling their growth with poor habits.
Knight has emerged as one of Auburn’s most valuable long-term assets—possibly even key to Freeze’s job security—so the coaching staff must manage his progress with care. By publicly ending any notion of a quarterback battle, Freeze helps stabilize the present while safeguarding the future.