Auburn’s ongoing roster shakeup shows no signs of slowing down, as quarterback Deuce Knight is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal once it officially opens on Friday, according to multiple reports. The move adds to an already significant wave of departures from the program following a turbulent season.
Knight, a highly regarded former five-star recruit, spent the year as a true freshman with the Tigers. Despite his limited opportunities, he made a strong first impression early in the season during Auburn’s matchup against Mercer. In that game, Knight displayed both his passing accuracy and elite athleticism, completing 15 of his 20 pass attempts for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He was equally dangerous as a runner, piling up 162 rushing yards and scoring four times on the ground, giving fans a glimpse of his dual-threat potential.
The freshman quarterback also saw brief action later in the season against Ball State, but that appearance marked the end of his on-field contributions for the year. Head coach Hugh Freeze ultimately decided to stick with Jackson Arnold as the team’s primary quarterback, leaving Knight on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
Knight’s decision to enter the portal comes amid a massive turnover within the Auburn program. More than 25 players have already announced plans to transfer, including starting quarterback Jackson Arnold and backup signal-caller Ashton Daniels. The large number of departures highlights the scale of change facing the Tigers as they move into the next chapter of the program.
With Alex Golesh taking over as Auburn’s new head coach, the task ahead is substantial. Golesh will need to aggressively attack the transfer portal to restock the roster and address key positional needs, particularly at quarterback. As Auburn navigates this period of transition, the departure of a talented young player like Knight underscores both the challenges and the urgency facing the program moving forward.