Even though Auburn has yet to retire the jersey number of Cam Newton, no college football player since the Heisman Trophy winner has worn the number 2 on the plains. That could change with highly-touted freshman Deuce Knight.
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, ranked as either a four- or five-star prospect, was one of the five-best players at his position in the recruiting Class of 2025. Originally committed to Notre Dame, the Mississippi-native rejected a late push from the flagship university in his home state to instead play for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.
Auburn has been one of the worst teams in the SEC since the arrival of Freeze and its quarterback play is perhaps the biggest reason for the failures. Knight is supposed to change that. He is the chosen one.
In large part because of his first name, Deuce, Knight has worn the No. 2 throughout his entire high school carer. It is expected that he will want to do so while in college.
Cam Newton won’t let Deuce Knight wear his jersey number at Auburn.
Newton addressed that expectation on his podcast 4th&1 with Cam Newton. The last player to wear No. 2 for the Tigers doesn’t think it is a good idea.
It’s a f— no for me. I like Deuce. Played against him! He was on Deestroying’s 7-on-7 team when I did get the chance to see him and meet him. But in this day and age, bro, everything’s earned. You’ve got to earn the right. And what you did in high school, nobody gives a f— in college.
— Cam Newton
He would rather see Knight succeed than worry about a number.
I really hope that you’re good. I really hope that you can stay at Auburn, I really hope that you can do everything that you’re going to say. But as an avid, die-hard Auburn fan, it’s easier said and done, bro.
Like, win the locker room first. F— numbers. F—, like, entitlement, f– NIL.
F— all that s—. Bro, win a game.
— Cam Newton
Although it seems like Cam Newton is upset that someone could step on his toes and ruin his legacy, the reason he will not give Knight his blessing is actually more about Knight than Newton. Or so he says.
You will not be wearing No. 2, especially not your first year. I just don’t want to nuke my product like that. Like, bro […] I’ll give you a scenario.
If (mu son) happens to have an opportunity to go to Auburn, he’s not wearing No. 2. You see what I’m saying? It’s like, son, create your own legacy. I did. You feel what I’m saying? And to that point, it’s the main reason why I never had a Junior.
— Cam Newton
Of course, Newton could not refrain from some level of hubris. Knight will not get his blessing to wear No. 2 because he wants to avoid comparison.
I don’t want you to feel like you got to live up to that moment because it’d be an unrealistic expectation for you, Deuce, to have a number that only was worn lastly by me and for you to wear it next. And then, now, everybody’s gonna be thinking, “Damn, this motherf—– Cam let you wear this number and you sorry as f—. You don’t even start, you don’t even play.” Does that makes sense? So I’m kind of doing you a favor.
— Cam Newton
Cam Newton is rooting for Deuce Knight and wants him to show out. Once the latter proves himself as a freshman, the former would then — and only then — consider blessing the No. 2.
Mind you, Auburn has not officially retired Newton’s number. Knight could still wear it anyway.