Deuce Knight watches Trinidad Chambliss in the Ole Miss weight room.
Any other year that Ole Miss did not have a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback, many microphones and cameras would be pointed at former five-star QB Deuce Alexander, a Mississippian from Lucedale who found his way home from Auburn over the offseason.
Instead, he is doing his work in quiet, probably how he likes it.
Knight only played in two games last season as a true freshman at Auburn. His final stat line read 17-for-25 on completions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. His 6-5, 225-pound frame was credited for 13 carries for 178 yards and four scores, averaging more than 13 yards per carry. Most of that yardage came in a late-season start versus Mercer (239 passing, 162 rushing).
That game, however, gave a glimpse of what the future likely holds for this Cam Newton-sized quarterback.
“Deuce has all the talent in the world,” said Ole Miss offensive coordinator John David Baker. “He has progressed very well, quicker than expected to be honest with you. But he’s doing some really, really good things. he has an element…obviously size, speed…that no one else in the room really has. But I’ve been really, really pleased with how he’s come along early on in spring ball.”
A young Deuce Knight at the 365/Southern Elite Combine where he was standout.
While there is absolutely no battle for QB1 at Ole Miss…Chambliss has that role secured…Knight is battling with redshirt freshman AJ Maddox and portal retrurnee Walker Howard for QB2. Maddox is a former four-star prospect out of Oak Grove (Miss.) High School, while Howard…a former five-star prospect…orginally signed with LSU, transferred to Ole Miss, then transferred to hometown Louisiana-Lafayette, before finally returning to the Rebels over the offseason.
Walker Howard
Ole Miss was a finalist for Knight out of George County (Miss.) High School before he finally decided to sign with Auburn.
Ole Miss continues this week with spring practice. The Rebels are scheduled to hit the practice field on Tuesday.