Why four-star QB Deuce Knight left Lipscomb Academy football to return to Mississippi

Deuce Knight enjoyed the experience of moving to Nashville to join a Lipscomb Academy football roster full of elite players and former NFL coaches.

But being more than 400 miles away from Mississippi left the four-star quarterback feeling a bit homesick. He confirmed that it was the main reason he left Lipscomb three games into the TSSAA season.

“I just wanted to get around everybody else in my family, my hometown,” Knight told The Tennessean on Tuesday. “It was a good experience being coached up by some great guys, playing with some great guys. I had a great time.” 

Knight’s departure last week came as a surprise to many. He announced his decision to join Lipscomb on July 30 and informed first-year coach Kevin Mawae of his decision to leave on Labor Day. 

Knight said he lived in a Nashville apartment with his mom, Jackie, and his sister but wanted to be closer to other family and friends in Lucedale. 

He was 57-of-108 passing for 627 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in three games with the Mustangs. He also rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries. 

Several of his former Lipscomb teammates and coaches sent the quarterback well wishes on social media after he left. Knight still refers to Lipscomb quarterback coach and co-offensive coordinator Kolt Peavey as “my guy.” 

“They were supportive of it,” Knight said. “Nobody was mad, they understood.

“Coach Mawae will tell you himself, the reason he coaches high school football is to spend more time with his wife, so he understood.”

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Knight is the No. 70 player and No. 5 quarterback nationally, with an offer list that includes Alabama, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Tennessee among others. He immediately became the No. 3 player in Tennessee from the 2025 class, per the 247Sports Composite, when he announced his transfer to Lipscomb on July 30. 

He’s since been practicing with George County, where he threw for 1,929 yards, rushed for 488 yards and had 23 total touchdowns in nine games in 2022. 

Knight said he is required to sit out three games before being eligible to play for George County again. He will miss two more games after sitting out last week.