Cam Newton shoots down Deuce Knight wearing No. 2 jersey with NSFW answer

After struggles at the quarterback position, Hugh Freeze made a big splash on the recruiting trail this year, signing Deuce Knight. In some Auburn photo shoots, though, he was seen wearing a No. 2 jersey – and Cam Newton had an NSFW answer about whether he’d approve of that once official numbers come out.

Knight is making his way to Auburn as one of the top quarterback recruits from the 2025 cycle. A five-star prospect, he’s the No. 27 overall player and No. 5-ranked quarterback in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The hope is Knight will flip the script for Auburn at quarterback. But to Newton, he doesn’t want him wearing the No. 2 jersey.

The below video contains NSFW language.

https://t.co/uFsdBLrwfq pic.twitter.com/eA2xrV0A0Y

— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) December 13, 2024

“It’s a f*** no for me,” Newton said on his 4th and 1 podcast. “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.

“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 shit. Bro, win a game.”

Cam Newton’s message to Deuce Knight: ‘Please ball’

Cam Newton’s No. 2 is not formally retired by Auburn, but no Tiger has worn the number since his 2010 Heisman Trophy season. As for why he doesn’t want Knight to wear the jersey, he cited his desire for the incoming freshman to forge his own legacy. In fact, Newton said he wouldn’t want his son Chosen to wear No. 2 if he goes to Auburn down the road.

“You will not be wearing No. 2, especially not your first year,” Newton said. “I just don’t want to nuke my product like that. Like, bro. … I’ll give you a scenario. If Chosen 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.

“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***er Cam let you wear this damn 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.”

That said, Newton had a message for Knight – and he spoke for Tigers fans everywhere. He made it clear he’s cheering for Knight and wants him to show out. If he does, he looks forward to a call.

“But bro, I want you to ball,” Newton said. “Please, ball. And then, next year, come holler at me then.”