On3 VP of recruiting Steve Wiltfong gives the latest on Notre Dame QB commit Deuce Knight
The wait for Deuce Knight’s decision continues. After the four-star quarterback from Lucedale (Miss.) George County unofficially visited Auburn and reportedly Ole Miss last month, those two programs, as well as the Fighting Irish sit on standby to see if the nation’s No. 7 2025 quarterback sticks with his longtime Notre Dame pledge.
On Thursday, On3 VP of recruiting and transfer portal, Steve Wiltfong, discussed on the Wiltfong Whiparound Show the Irish’s battle for Knight, a potential decision timeline and how Freeman and Company should proceed in recruiting the talented passer.
Here is what Wiltfong’s latest intel on Knight says.
On what Notre Dame is doing with Deuce Knight:
“Notre Dame is trying to get this to go into the season. They’re trying to beat Texas A&M in the opener and rebuild some momentum with Deuce Knight.
“Look, Deuce Knight and his family love Notre Dame. What it offers on and off the field. (Offensive coordinator) Mike Denbrock coached Jayden Daniels — The Heisman Trophy winner, the No. 1 offense in the country. I think that has resonated. His relationship with (quarterbacks coach) Gino Guidugli. They love (head coach) Marcus Freeman.
“But I think right now, he sees himself playing in the SEC. So, I think he would have to change his mind back. In talking to sources around Deuce and others with knowledge of the recruitment, he’s got a very keen eye on being closer to home in the SEC.”
On Auburn:
“Auburn is the program that has a lot of the momentum right now. He’s built a really good connection with that coaching staff. He was at Big Cat Weekend, feels comfortable around the players, loves the way that Auburn’s recruiting receivers and loves their track record historically at the quarterback position.”
On Ole Miss:
“They’ve been trying to flip him for a while. They’re still in the mix here for Deuce Knight as well. So, Auburn is trying to hold off Ole Miss and keep the momentum with Deuce Knight.”
On the timeline:
“Could he commit soon? Does he take it into the season? Notre Dame wants him to take it into the season. I’ve talked to some people that think he shuts it down before his senior season so he can focus on his last prep year.
“But I like where Auburn stands. Ole Miss is a dark horse. And Notre Dame is just hanging on, in my opinion.”
On whether Notre Dame should cut bait or if they are doing whatever they can to take it into the fall:
“No, you never cut bait. Deuce Knight is a good kid, a good prospect. They like him. He fits what they’re trying to do. Notre Dame has a talented quarterback room. Deuce Knight brings a skillset that’s a little more unique to the guys they have in the room.
“But if you’re Notre Dame, you’re happy about your depth chart. You want a guy like Deuce Knight — the quality of player he is to come in and push the talented guys they have in the fold, particularly CJ Carr.
“I think you’re looking at CJ Carr right now and saying he has a great chance to be a three-year starter. But you’re recruiting high-caliber prospects behind him that either elevate CJ Carr’s game, or they can beat him out.
“Well, Deuce Knight has as much talent as any quarterback in the 2025 class. So, if you put him in any quarterback room, he’s at the very least going to push it. That’s the standard Notre Dame is trying to recruit the position at.
“But they have CJ Carr. They’ve already seen him in spring ball and fall camp. And there’s a lot of excitement around him. Now, you’re trying to build great depth behind him and guys that can push each other. So, you hang in there with Deuce Knight.
“Then, if you lose him, you’re looking for somebody else. You want to bring in a good quarterback.”
To check out the rest of Wiltfong’s thoughts, check out the latest episode of the Wiltfong Whiparound.
The post On3 VP of recruiting Steve Wiltfong gives the latest on Notre Dame QB commit Deuce Knight appeared first on On3.
