Durkin is playing shy on the KB plan for the Iron Bowl against Alabama

in 2025 Auburn football the season has been very inconsistent. The Tigers have a lot of talent, but have struggled to put it together, and it led to the firing of Hugh Freeze. Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has been named interim head coach and has a realistic chance of getting the job. The Tigers have had a revolving door at quarterback this season, and that could determine whether Durkin keeps the job.

Auburn held Ashton Daniels out in their last game against Mercer to preserve his redshirt, and he will be available against Alabama. However, freshman Deuce Knight had a fantastic game against Mercer, leading to speculation about who will start against Alabama. Speaking to the media, Durkin has been coy about who the Tigers will start and what their plan isaccording to On3’s Justin Hokanson.

Hokanson posted on X during a press conference: “DJ Durkin was asked if he would play Juice Knight next to Ashton Daniels at QB against Alabama. Durkin laughed and said, ‘That’s a great idea. I’ll bring it back up.'”

Durkin seemed to hint that Daniels would get the start, but if Auburn uses both quarterbacks in some capacity, that will be the difference maker.

Hokanson followed up the post by saying, “Durkin says Ashton Daniels did really well sitting out vs. Mercer and will be ‘good’ to be back in the game and plans to start vs. Alabama.”

Daniels started two games prior to Auburn’s win over Mercer. He excelled in the Tigers’ overtime loss to Vanderbilt, throwing for 353 yards, rushing for 89 yards and scoring four total touchdowns. He also brings more experience than Knight, which could be vital for a game like the Iron Bowl against Alabama.

“He had big plays, explosive plays. Everybody saw that,” Durkin said of Knight. “But I think he did a great job just going over his reads, making the right decisions, kind of operating the offense the right way.”

Deuce Knight was a huge five-star pickup for the Tigersso it makes sense why Durkin might want to use Knight in some way, but what that package looks like remains to be seen.