The SEC doesn’t wait for anyone. And Auburn’s QB battle is shaping up to be a wild one. Hugh Freeze has gone all in on reshaping his offense. He brought in former 5-star Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma while securing 5-star freshman Deuce Knight. The result? A high-stakes duel that has SEC insiders buzzing. And it looks like the 1,421-yard and 12-score QB is squarely in the hot seat. 

Jackson Arnold might be coming from a 6-6 program but it didn’t deter Hugh Freeze from anticipating a potential breakout. But with the arrival of Knight as one of the top-ranked QBs of the 2025 class, the former Sooners’ path to QB1 is anything but guaranteed. SEC insider Zac Blackerby put it bluntly on Locked on SEC on March 5 — “I think the expectation is for Jackson Arnold to come in and beat out Deuce Knight for the job.” And if he can do get ahead of Knight for the 2025 season, he could be in good hands. 

On paper, Arnold has the experience advantage. And the offensive weapons in Auburn are also a step up from what he had at Norman. As Blackerby pointed out, the Tigers have “the best-receiving options to throw to with Eric Singleton (Jr.) coming over from Georgia Tech and obviously Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson and Malcolm Simmons and Horatio Fields.” Freeze has high hopes for the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year — “The fit he is for our offense and for Auburn, I couldn’t be more excited.” But well, the No. 5 QB wouldn’t be backing down without a fight.

Deuce Knight, a former Notre Dame commit, has the physical tools and upside to make things interesting. “A legit quarterback competition?” That’s exactly what analyst Lindsay Crosby sees coming. “Obviously Jackson Arnold’s the favorite but there is a world where Deuce Knight just looks fantastic and gets into the conversation,” he said. The HC loves his transfer’s maturity and fit, and the freshman’s potential looms large. But regardless of who wins the job, Hugh Freeze is making sure his QB has the protection his predecessors lacked. 

Hugh Freeze’s quadruple move to protect the QB

Auburn is going big, literally, in recruiting offensive linemen for the 2026 class. Here’s the four-weapon blueprint — 

• Darius Gray 

Coming from Richmond, VA, he’s the 5-star elite IOL that Auburn needs. Per analyst Darrell Dapprich, “He’s the crown jewel—the one that Auburn wants.”

• Dominic Harris

The 3-star Las Vegas beast is a 6’7, 335-pounder with offers from Utah, Washington, Arizona State. 

• Wilson Zierer 

There’s one thing that Auburn offers this Georgia player and that’s familial ties. His brother Zillian Zierer also played for the Tigers. 

• Dalton Toothman 

The Ocean Springs 3-star weapon is a massive 6’5, 295-pounder who will be a key piece in Auburn’s effort to rebuild the trenches.

With this foundation, Hugh Freeze is working to erase any memory of Payton Thorne’s 26-sack nightmare from last season. But first, Auburn will have to settle the debate between Jackson Arnold and Deuce Knight with the spring game being the first true test between the two.