‘He has growth to do’: Hugh Freeze reveals why phenom freshman QB Deuce Knight is trailing in camp battle
The Auburn Tigers have teased playing all three quarterbacks in Week 1 against the Baylor Bears, but no one knows if Hugh Freeze really means it. While he’s understandably wanting more from his new group of passers, they’re a similar bunch that all lack pocket polish. Fans will see Jackson Arnold first, but the crowd […]
The Auburn Tigers have teased playing all three quarterbacks in Week 1 against the Baylor Bears, but no one knows if Hugh Freeze really means it. While he’s understandably wanting more from his new group of passers, they’re a similar bunch that all lack pocket polish. Fans will see Jackson Arnold first, but the crowd will be especially intrigued if Freeze gets true freshman Deuce Knight on the field.
The high four-star is competing with Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels for the backup job. Freeze offered a review of each passer earlier this week, and the report was generally sweeping of the entire room. They all have mobility and creativity, but lack the anticipation and quick trigger on fast-hitting concepts. Still, Freeze sees value in playing both Knight and Daniels, even if there are overlapping skill sets.
That’s not shocking for Knight, in particular. But Freeze went more in-depth on Knight’s growth more than anyone, and it’s fascinating to get an idea of where this battle is currently.
“He’s getting better,” Freeze said. “As far as sitting in there and making the throw, he’s ready. He can do that. Setting protections is new. That’s still kinda the issue that he still has growth to do in it. Maybe recognizing — our defense is doing a really nice job of disguising things and all of them are missing some of that. It’s even hard for us as coaches when you’re watching film to see it. They’re doing a really nice job.
“So I think he’s just got to improve in the mental side of it. Physically, he can make all the throws right now. I wouldn’t hesitate to throw him in a game. We have the base down plan in but we don’t have, ‘Hey now, how we are setting these protections?’ So we’ll start working that tomorrow and hopefully all of them will feel better about that aspect of it by mid next week.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound dual threat drew a comparison to former West Virginia super star Pat White from 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins.
“Dual-threat southpaw with a top-flight testing profile that has continued to improve as a passer, but remains very much a work in progress as he embarks on his collegiate career. Owns a smoother stroke and can rip the ball on tight lines to the second and third levels, but accuracy can vary and hamper drives. At his best when moving left and looking to attack the perimeter as he excels at connecting on out-breaking routes at or past the sticks. Can also challenge a defense vertically with his arm strength, but needs to get better at playing from a structured environment and working through his reads. Has proven to be a dynamic mover both in and outside of the pocket and can produce big gains with his legs as he has the acceleration and agility to make defenders miss in space or tight quarters. Exits high school with a losing record as a starter, but the flashes in the lead up to his 12th-grade campaign were extremely encouraging. Must stay healthy after dealing with a variety of different injuries and keep calibrating his craft, but should be viewed as a boom-or-burst signal caller that can provide no shortage of excitement in an up-tempo spread attack for a College Football Playoff contender if everything comes together. Could turn heads at the NFL Scouting Combine one day with his jumping metrics.”
