Former Auburn Tigers quarterback Deuce Knight could've pouted after realizing he wouldn't be the Ole Miss Rebels' starter during the 2026 season. Instead, Knight is embracing the opportunity to play for his home state's flagship school and showing out this spring.
CBS Sports' Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz revealed rave internal reviews the Rebels are getting after showing impressive depth at multiple key positions, including, obviously, QB, ahead of Pete Golding's first season as full-time head coach.
"My biggest takeaway from this spring is this is the most talented team we've had from top to bottom in terms of depth and top players (since Kiffin's arrival at Ole Miss in 2020)," a source said. "In 2024, we had really good players, but we didn't have the depth at certain positions (like we do now). We also have elite players at key positions like quarterback, running back and defensive line."
This is an Ole Miss staffer who is seeing firsthand what the QB room looks like. Obviously, Trinidad Chambliss is not ceding that QB1 role after his brilliance in 2025, and overcoming a legal battle regarding his eligibility. But Knight could've been slanted by Rebels staffers by showing the wrong attitude. Instead, he's part of the positive momentum Ole Miss desperately needs before the most important season in program history.
It looked like it could've gotten bad, too. Knight didn't appear happy after Chambliss was first thought to be maintaining his eligibility. He even took it to social media. Clearly, though, it's water under the bridge now. And the Rebels couldn't be better off for it.
Deuce Knight could be the guy who replaces 'the guy' at Ole Miss
Let's say Ole Miss does have another great season, making the CFP for a second straight year in Chambliss and star running back Kewan Lacy's last ride in Oxford. That means Knight has the weight of a program that will have even more investment in it next year.
Growing up in Lucedale, Mississippi, that was probably the kind of situation Knight one day envisioned. He was sold on a dream in Auburn that Hugh Freeze couldn't last long enough to let him see. It was never Alex Golesh's responsibility to see it through for Knight, considering he does business differently than Freeze.
Golding has seemingly signed up for Knight's collegiate prime years. By all accounts, Knight is in line to take over for Chambliss next year. Golding replacing him with a transfer next January would make him a pronounced bad guy, especially in the wake of the Luke Ferrelli scandal this offseason. Unless Golding is trying to be more cut-throat than Kiffin was, that's not happening.
It'll be Knight's team this year around this time. If he can handle the weight, he will continue leading the charge into the future. If not, he'll be known as the guy who replaced the guy, but couldn't properly fill his shoes.
It'd add to Trinidad's legacy. But it'd only provide more what-ifs for Knight's.
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