How 4-star transfer quarterback Deuce Knight did in first Lipscomb Academy football scrimmage
MURFREESBORO ‒ Lipscomb Academy quarterback Deuce Knight wasn't sure what to expect. Friday was the four-star Mississippi transfer's first high school scrimmage against another school in his football career.
What he got was a shortened version of a scrimmage as a running clock was implemented in the final two matchups of the 615 Preseason Showcase at Oakland High School. Lipscomb Academy beat Blackman, 14-0.
"I've never played a scrimmage before against another team," said Knight, who transferred from George County (Mississippi) two weeks ago to join the two-time defending Division II-AA state champion Mustangs. "In Mississippi we had intrasquad scrimmages but we never scrimmaged another team, so this was new for me."
Lipscomb Academy got a late start, capping a night that featured five games.
"It really didn't matter," Knight said. "I was going to play most of the scrimmage anyway. I need the reps."
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound left-handed quarterback is the No. 4 college prospect in Tennessee for the Class of 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite. He's also the No. 5 quarterback in the country and hold offers from Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame and Ole Miss. He picked up his latest offer, from Vanderbilt, on Aug. 5.
This was the first full week of practice for Knight with his new team, and first-year coach Kevin Mawae wanted a fast pace during the scrimmage. Knight was 7-of-12 passing for 65 yards and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Briggs in the first quarter. Knight completed a 26-yard pass over the middle that set up Omari Bledsoe's 14-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
With Knight at quarterback, the Mustangs will put their 21-game win streak on the line when they open the season against IMG Academy (Florida) on Friday. Their game at Saraland (Alabama) on Aug. 25 will be televised by ESPN and a grueling schedule awaits after Lipscomb moved up to Division II-AAA, where it will face powers like Baylor, Brentwood Academy and McCallie in the East Region.
Mawae said Knight has already picked up 80% of the offense and looks comfortable.
"I don't think this week has been overwhelming," Knight said. "I've been surrounded by coaches and teammates who have been helping me through it. I'm looking forward to the season starting."
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Deuce Knight: Lipscomb Academy football transfer has first scrimmage
