Auburn’s window to prove it values Deuce Knight is shrinking

Deuce Knight was given the opportunity to show the next Auburn head coach – and those supplying the NIL money – why he should be one of the top priorities in keeping this offseason with his first collegiate start on Saturday.

It took him one play to prove he should be near, if not, on the top of the list.

Dropping back on the first offensive play of the game, Knight found no receivers open and decided to use his legs to gain some yards. Seventy-five yards later, Auburn was up 7-0, and Knight had his first collegiate touchdown.

It looked too easy, and while Mercer is an FCS-level school, they are still capable of playing with the big boys. And if the Bears had any strength, it was the rushing defense, coming into the game allowing a mere 73.7 yards per game on the ground. Knight blew that away with one run.

And while the Tigers would go 3-and-out on their next possession, it would be the exception to the rule. Knight ran for a touchdown on the next three possessions, looking a little (dare I say it?) Cam Newton-ish with his long strides that made him look like he was floating, not running at a full pace.

If anyone was wondering if Knight could thread the needle, he proved it with six seconds left in the first half, finding Cam Coleman in the corner of the end zone for his first passing touchdown as a Tiger.

To rub salt in the wound, Knight hit Malcolm Simmons for a 91-yard touchdown on Auburn's first offensive play of the second half to make the score 49-17. It was the perfect touch to a perfect debut in crucial minutes for a player who many consider the future at quarterback starting next season.

Knight's final stat line: 15-of-20 for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for four (an Auburn freshman record) on nine carries for 162 yards.

If anything, Knight showed that he deserves the chance, and that if other programs come clamoring after him this offseason, the collectives better be ready to pony up. If Cam Coleman is the top priority, Knight should be next in line. A start under his belt, and with another offseason of putting on weight and learning the college system, albeit a new one under a new head coach and offensive coordinator, his star is just beginning to rise.

Auburn fans saw what the future looks like, and while some may want Knight to be in the game next week against Alabama in the Iron Bowl, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Ashton Daniels proved against Vanderbilt that he can be what Auburn needs at quarterback right now.

Next season? The Deuce is loose for Auburn.