Elite 2025 QB Deuce Knight commits to Notre Dame football

Notre Dame’s 2025 quarterback recruiting saga has come to an end on Monday. Just when it looked like Bear Bachmeier would be the Irish’s signal-caller for the class, Lucedale (Miss.) George County’s Deuce Knight grabbed the spot.

Knight, who ranks as the No. 39 overall player and No. 3 quarterback nationally according to the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, informed the Irish staff of his decision to commit Sunday night and announced his pledge just before noon ET Monday.

“I was big on always being Notre Dame’s No. 1 priority from the start,” Knight told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “That really meant a lot to me. They were always straight up with me. I was always Coach [Marcus] Freeman’s guy. He was involved in my recruitment big time more than any head coach. I feel like Notre Dame is the spot where I can succeed on and off the field just because they can compete for a natty every year and still be top in academics.”

Bachmeier, a four-star passer from Murrieta (Calif.) Valley, visited Notre Dame for the Central Michigan game over the weekend. And between him and Knight, it was a first-come, first-served situation as to who would be the Irish’s 2025 quarterback commit of the class. Both quarterbacks had been well aware of the situation, and the expectation going into the weekend was that there was a pretty decent chance Bachmeier would pick the Irish while on campus.

However, Bachmeier left South Bend without making a decision. And Knight and his family called the Irish staff Sunday evening to commit.

Sign up today for all the inside scoop on Notre Dame for $1! Head over to our subscriptions page for more details on our latest offers.

“I have the closest relationship with Coach Gino [Guidugli] and also have great relationships with Chad [Chad] Bowden, Coach [Gerad] Parker and Coach Freeman. But my relationship with Coach Gino was different from anybody else that was recruiting me. I could call Coach Gino to talk about anything at any time.

“He just made sure I always felt the love from ND and made sure I knew I was the No. 1 guy. And their plan for me is to come in and compete for the job right away. They said I have a skill set that nobody else in that QB room has because of my ability to run and throw, and that they are going to tailor the offense around to what I do best and get the top guys around me.”

Before his Irish commitment, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Tennessee were considered the other top schools for Knight. Georgia, Miami, Mississippi State, Oregon, Texas A&M and Washington were among his other scholarship offers.

Knight is Notre Dame’s highest-ranked quarterback commit per the On3 Industry Ranking since Gunner Kiel in the 2012 class.

The Irish are up to three commitments in the 2025 class, as Knight joins Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit running back Justin Thurman and Miami Palmetto defensive lineman Davion Dixon.

Notre Dame’s quarterback pledge in the 2024 class comes from Saline (Mich.) High’s CJ Carr, who is listed as the nation’s No. 50 player and No. 6 signal-caller.

Knight is expected to return to campus for the Ohio State game this weekend. He wanted to commit early so that he could start recruiting for the school he selected, and that’s exactly what he’ll do Sept. 23.

The Deuce Knight file

During his sophomore football season, Knight completed 111 of 174 passes for 1,780 yards with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He also added 488 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 54 carries.

Knight’s team finished 2-8 in 2022, but his individual performance earned him All-Region 4-5A first-team honors. The Mississippi Association of Coaches listed him as its 5A second-team all-state quarterback.

At the Elite 11 Regional camp in Oxford, Miss., Knight ran a 4.53 40-yard dash and checked in at 6-4 1/2, 192 pounds.

On3’s own rankings list Knight very similarly to the Industry Ranking, slotting him as the No. 28 player and No. 4 signal-caller in America.

Over the summer, Knight transferred to Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy but returned to his home state school after a few weeks.