Former Auburn Tigers quarterback Deuce Knight isn't being given much of a chance with the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2026 College Football season. USA Today's Matt Hayes predicts the University of Mississippi to be a six- or seven-win team, at best, if Trinidad Chambliss is ruled ineligible after the NCAA's recent appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Hayes blamed Hugh Freeze for Knight not coming to Oxford, Mississippi, with any notable accomplishments on the football field. In fact, Hayes admits his skepticism about Knight stems completely from Freeze.
"It’s not like Knight — a former five-star recruit — was a difference-maker at Auburn. He showed flashes, but nothing that would make anyone think Ole Miss could win more than six or seven games unless things drastically change," Hayes wrote.
"To be fair, Knight was dealing with former Auburn coach Huge Freeze, who was at best disinterested in his time on The Plains — and at worst lallygagging through professional malpractice. So maybe Knight is the answer, and all he needs is a new team and a new focus and to wait and see how it all shakes out with Chambliss."
Deuce Knight is almost certainly not Ole Miss' QB of the future
Knight kind of has to stay with the Rebs at this point. There are no other options. He can unenroll from Ole Miss if he wants to, but there's no guaranteed payday on the other side from anyone in the SEC.
At this point, it's hard to see the Rebels trust Knight with the future of the program after his reaction to Chambliss' return. He may play nice and stay the year, but there's clearly a lack of trust on both sides now.
Pete Golding probably should've been more upfront about what he was able to offer Knight in the portal. Unfortunately, the Lucedale, Missisippi, product has now been sold a lie with both programs he committed to.