Deuce Knight’s Dilemma at Ole Miss: A Promising QB Caught in a Tough Spot
Deuce Knight, once a prized quarterback prospect with stops at Auburn and Notre Dame, now finds himself in a holding pattern at Ole Miss - and the timing couldn’t be worse. With the transfer portal window closed as of January 16, Knight’s options are limited, and barring a highly complicated workaround, he’s likely staring down another season on the sidelines in Oxford.
This latest twist comes after a Calhoun County Courthouse decision granted Trinidad Chambliss an extra year of eligibility - a move that directly impacts the depth chart and Knight’s path to playing time. For a player who’s already spent a year watching from the bench, the prospect of another season without meaningful snaps is a frustrating scenario.
No Easy Exit
Technically, Knight could still leave Ole Miss, but the logistics are far from simple. Without an open transfer portal window, he’d need to withdraw from the university and attempt to enroll elsewhere - a risky move that could jeopardize both his eligibility and any NIL deals he’s signed. That kind of maneuver is rarely straightforward, especially in today’s college football landscape where contracts and commitments are more binding than ever.
There’s also the reality of perception. While Knight is undeniably talented - a dual-threat quarterback with size, arm strength, and mobility - bouncing from school to school can raise red flags for future coaches. Fair or not, the optics of being a three-program player in as many years may cause some programs to hesitate, especially if they’re looking for stability at the most important position on the field.
A Misstep in the Making?
Knight’s departure from Auburn initially made sense. When Alex Golesh took over and brought in Byrum Brown - his star quarterback from USF - the writing was on the wall. Knight was going to have to fight uphill for reps, and a fresh start elsewhere seemed like the right move.
But transferring to Ole Miss, only to end up in a similar situation, has turned into a costly miscalculation. He’s now stuck behind another entrenched player and dealing with eligibility logjams that are out of his control. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who was once considered one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in his class.
Still Time to Rebound
The good news? Knight’s story is far from over.
This is college football in the NIL era - a space where talent still rules, and opportunities can come quickly if you’re prepared. More than 75% of FBS programs would gladly take a quarterback with Knight’s upside, especially if he shows growth and maturity through this adversity.
He’s still young, still developing, and still has time to rewrite the narrative. But for now, Knight is learning the hard way that in today’s game, the right move isn’t just about the next opportunity - it’s about timing, fit, and knowing when to hold your ground.
Ole Miss may be paying him well to wait, but for a competitor like Deuce Knight, the real currency is playing time - and right now, that’s the one thing he can’t seem to buy.