Deuce Knight, a quarterback from Mississippi, has officially flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Auburn, bringing an end to the speculation. Many had anticipated this switch, and it became more apparent over time. Back in August, signs pointed to Knight’s potential departure from Notre Dame, and some had already accepted the idea that he might not remain committed to the Irish.
One major factor contributing to this flip revolves around Knight’s future playing opportunities. At Notre Dame, the starting quarterback position may not be available until 2027, assuming C.J. Carr takes the reins and performs well. In today’s landscape, top-tier quarterbacks typically do not want to sit on the bench for extended periods. While some may argue that a truly elite quarterback should embrace competition, the reality is that most elite prospects are eager for quicker paths to playing time. Notre Dame’s quarterback depth, ironically, may have worked against the program in this case.
The situation presents a frustrating narrative for Notre Dame fans, but it may not ultimately have a significant impact on the team’s future. Recruiting, however, is complex and rarely influenced by just one or two factors. Eric Thomas of 247 Sports highlighted one perspective that could sting for Notre Dame supporters: the challenge of recruiting a Southern player with no ties to the North. A source noted that Notre Dame’s mistake was pursuing Knight, a player from the deep South, over a prospect like Bear Bachmeier from California, who had shown more interest in coming to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s decision to go after Knight, despite the difficulties in competing with Southern powerhouses like LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Alabama, left them vulnerable to losing him. The source implied that the Irish would have had a better chance if they had pursued Bachmeier instead. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, that opportunity has now passed, and the team faces a quarterback issue moving forward.
Even with C.J. Carr projected to take over the starting role in the future, Notre Dame must continue to strengthen its quarterback pipeline. Failing to do so could force the program into relying on the transfer portal, a strategy that doesn’t always yield top-tier talent. This is why every recruiting cycle is vital, especially when it comes to securing quarterbacks.
Notre Dame’s 2024 recruiting class now has 22 commitments and is ranked 13th nationally, according to the 247 Composite Team Rankings. Despite the class’s strong ranking, the loss of Knight is a notable blow, particularly given the importance of the quarterback position in any recruiting class. Moving forward, there will be competition among Notre Dame’s current quarterbacks—Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, and C.J. Carr—for the starting job. However, in today’s college football world, it’s possible that one or more of these quarterbacks may transfer by next season, making it all the more essential for Notre Dame to remain aggressive in quarterback recruiting.
Knight’s decision to flip to Auburn underscores the unpredictable nature of recruiting, especially when geography and playing time come into play.
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