Even if Auburn hasn’t retired yet jersey number of Cam NewtonNo college football player since the Heisman Trophy winner wore the number 2 in the plains. That could change with a highly touted freshman Two knights.

However, the legendary quarterback did not give his blessing to the young signal-caller. He wants him to pick a different number for reasons not as selfish as you might think.

Knight, rated as a four- or five-star prospect, was one of the top five players at his position in the 2025 recruiting class. Originally committed to Notre Dame, the Mississippi native rejected a late push from his home state’s flagship university to play instead for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

Auburn has been one of the worst teams in the SEC since Freeze arrived and its quarterback play may be the biggest reason for the failures. Knight is supposed to change that. He is the chosen one.

Largely because of his first name, Deuce, Knight wore the number 2 throughout his high school years. He is expected to want to do this while in college.

Cam Newton won’t let Deuce Knight wear his jersey number at Auburn.

Newton responded to this expectation on his 4th&1 podcast with Cam Newton. The last player to wear number 2 for the Tigers doesn’t think it’s a good idea.

It’s… no for me. I love Deuce. I played against him! He was part of the Deestroying 7v7 team when I had the chance to see and meet him. But these days, bro, everything has to be earned. You must earn this right. And what you did in high school, no one gives a damn in college.

-Cam Newton

He would rather see Knight succeed than worry about a number.

I really hope you are doing well. I really hope you can stay at Auburn, I really hope you can do everything you’re going to say. But as a passionate, die-hard Auburn fan, that’s easier said and done, bro.

Like, get to the locker room first. F— numbers. F—, like, right, f– NIL.

F—all that is—. Brother, win a game.

-Cam Newton

While it seems like Cam Newton is upset that someone might step on his toes and ruin his legacy, the reason he won’t give Knight his blessing is actually more about Knight than Newton. At least that’s what he says.

You won’t wear #2, especially not your first year. I just don’t want to destroy my product like that. Like, bro (…) I’ll give you a scenario.

If (my son) gets a chance to go to Auburn, he’s not going to wear No. 2. See what I’m saying? It’s like, son, create your own legacy. I did it. Do you feel what I’m saying? And at this point, that’s the main reason I never had a Junior.

-Cam Newton

Of course, Newton couldn’t help but display a certain level of hubris. Knight won’t get the blessing to wear number 2 because he wants to avoid comparison.

I don’t want you to feel like you have to live up to this moment because that would be an unrealistic expectation for you, Deuce, to have a number that was only worn by me last and that you wear it then. And then, now everyone’s going to be thinking, “Damn, that mother… Cam let you wear that number and you’re sorry as f….” You don’t even start, you don’t even play. Does this make sense? So I’m kind of doing you a favor.

-Cam Newton

Cam Newton supports Deuce Knight and wants him to show up. Once the latter proves himself as a freshman, the former will then – and only then – consider blessing No. 2.

Please note, Auburn has not officially retired Newton’s number. Knight could still wear it anyway.