Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers have been busy rebuilding the roster, including overhauling the quarterback room. All four 2024 quarterbacks have exhausted their eligibility or entered the transfer portal

What will the position look like during spring practice and beyond?

Quarterbacks

When it comes to 2025 and the future of the quarterback room on the Plains, nothing has been as anticipated as it was several months ago. End of September Hank Brown had become Auburn’s starting quarterback over senior Payton Thorne. Brown, Walker White or perhaps an incoming freshman were the talking points of the future.

…but then Brown threw three interceptions in the first half of his first game against Arkansas on September 21, never to be seen on the field again. Payton Thorne regained his spot as starting quarterback and exhausted his eligibility. Five stars Two knights from Lucedale (George County High) Miss., committed to Auburn and signed on December 4.

Most recently, Holden Geriner entered his name into the transfer portal. Brown put his name in the portal and signed with Iowa. Then, to his surprise, White entered the portal as well.

Four-quarters of last year’s roster is gone, or at least is looking for a new home. Players can remove their name from the portal and resend the list if they are welcome again. White is likely a player the Auburn coaches will attempt to bring back.

Along with Knight’s signing, Freeze and staff are completely rebuilding the position and are off to a hot start in the portal.

Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit and part-time starter at Oklahoma signed with Auburn on Saturday. Arnold will have two seasons of eligibility after playing in 17 games the last two seasons with the Sooners. He threw for 1,421 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2024.

In Oklahoma’s 24-3 victory over Alabama on November 23Arnold was 9-11 for 68 yards and he rushed 25 times for 131 yards. He is a dual-threat quarterback with 560 rushing yards during his college career in Denton, Texas.

Currently standing at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds according to the Oklahoma roster, Arnold was a top-10 prospect in the 2023 class. according to 247Sports. He was the fourth highest rated quarterback behind Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava and Dante Moore.

On Tuesday Freeze added Ashton Danielsa Stanford senior who will have one year of eligibility remaining. Daniels totaled over 5,000 yards of offense during his career at Stanford – 3,986 passing and 1,117 rushing. He has a lot of experience, but his numbers aren’t great with 21 passing touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

A native of Buford, Georgia, Daniels will likely head to Auburn as an experienced backup, having played in 33 career games.

As of Thursday, Dec. 19, Auburn has three quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season, and Arnold will likely have the best chance to land the starting job over Knight. All three are expected to be at Auburn for spring drills.

Looking ahead to 2026 and assuming both play in 2025, Arnold would be a senior and Knight a sophomore. Auburn is uncommitted at the position for the 2026 class, although it will be a priority.

Future depth maps

2025
QB Jackson Arnold, Jr. / Deuce Knight, TFr. / Ashton Daniels, Sr.

2026
QB Jackson Arnold, Sr. / Deuce Knight, then.