Hugh Freeze Discusses Backup QB Plans for Auburn Tigers
AUBURN, Ala. – With Jackson Arnold firmly established as the Auburn Tigers’ starting quarterback, the question now is who will back him up. In 2025, Auburn revamped its quarterback room, and alongside Arnold, several players are vying for the backup spot, including five-star freshman Deuce Knight and Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels, who was a two-year starter.
Head coach Hugh Freeze remained cautious when asked about his plans for the backup role, but he left room for both Knight and Daniels to play key parts. “It’ll likely be situational,” Freeze said. “Ashton has a lot of experience with quarterback runs and passing, and he put up solid rushing numbers in a competitive league. That experience is something to consider.”
Daniels rushed for 669 yards last season at Stanford, setting a team record for single-game rushing yards by a quarterback with 129 against NC State.
While Knight is seen as Auburn’s quarterback of the future, Freeze emphasized the need to be patient with him. Knight impressed in high school, throwing for 2,256 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for 484 yards and 12 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. However, Freeze doesn’t want to rush him into the spotlight too soon.
“I don’t want to throw Deuce out there and call quarterback runs right away. He can certainly handle it, but we need to make sure he’s fully prepared. There are different roles to consider, and for certain situations, Deuce might be the better option, especially for throwing deep balls.”
Ultimately, Auburn fans hope the team doesn’t have to turn to a backup, as Freeze has faith in Arnold as the starter. His goal is to ensure Arnold is confident, while also preparing for any potential scenario that may arise. Ideally, Arnold will lead the team to a successful season, and Knight will gain experience in non-pressure situations, setting the stage for Auburn’s future.
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