Five-star Auburn QB signee Deuce Knight celebrates Cam Newton’s Heisman magic

Five-star quarterback Deuce Knight's flip from Notre Dame to Auburn was a huge recruiting win for the Tigers in the 2025 class. Despite a late push from Ole Miss, the signal-caller signed with Auburn on the National Signing Day, Dec. 3.

Auburn fans have drawn parallels between Knight and Cam Newton, the Tigers’ legendary quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 2010 and led Auburn to a 14-0 record with an SEC Championship. Knight has embraced the comparison, by sharing his admiration for Newton on X. When Auburn celebrated the anniversary of Newton’s Heisman win, Knight retweeted the post with an emoji:

"🙌🏾"

Deuce Knight’s connection to Newton runs deeper. The Mississippi native shared last week that Newton has been a fixture in his household for as long as he can remember. Knight’s father is a Carolina Panthers fan, and he ensured they watched Newton every Sunday during the QB's NFL career. Knight even had the chance to meet Newton last year and practice with him.

"He (Newton) gave me tips and advice," Knight told AL. "All in all, he wants to see kids do great. That’s why he sets aside the time, he wants to see the youth do great.”

In his 2010 Heisman season, Newton threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns, rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, and even caught a touchdown pass, carrying the Tigers to their first national championship since 1957. Auburn fans are hopeful that Knight can replicate some of that magic, especially after the Tigers' 5-7 season in 2024.

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Hugh Freeze compares Deuce Knight to former Auburn QB

While some Auburn fans draw comparisons between Deuce Knight and Cam Newton, coach Hugh Freeze sees Knight in a different light. At Auburn's Signing Day press conference, Freeze likened Knight to another one of his former quarterbacks, Malik Willis, who is currently playing for the Green Bay Packers.

"I think he (Knight) has the demeanor about himself, like Malik did, that people gravitate to and want to follow," Freeze said, via SI. "He makes people around him better. Malik had this humility about him also, even though he carried this great confidence. I think Deuce has that same mentality."

Freeze also praised Deuce Knight's ceiling, saying it is probably the highest of anybody he has worked with. Knight showed the ability to throw accurately on the run over the past two seasons, consistently displaying the poise and precision that make him a highly sought-after recruit. Now, Freeze and his coaching staff will have to develop him properly so he replicates the same success at the college level.