Auburn University secured its next quarterback on Saturday, as the Tigers announced that Jackson Arnold, a former Oklahoma quarterback, has signed with the program. This move comes as Auburn looks to strengthen its quarterback position after Payton Thorne’s inconsistent performances over the past two seasons. Arnold, who was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal, left Oklahoma following two years with the Sooners, just after they hired Ben Arbuckle as their new offensive coordinator from Washington State.
Arnold, a dual-threat quarterback, brings a wealth of experience and talent to Auburn’s offense. According to Auburn’s head coach, Hugh Freeze, the program is thrilled about Arnold’s potential fit within the system. “The fit he is for our offense and for Auburn, I couldn’t be more excited,” Freeze said in a statement. “He’s a dual-threat guy who understands the RPO system extremely well and throws the deep ball extremely well.” This makes Arnold an ideal candidate to lead Auburn’s offense in the coming seasons.
During his time at Oklahoma, Arnold started nine games after briefly losing his starting role following a tough 25-15 loss to Tennessee in the Sooners’ SEC opener. In total, Arnold completed 154 out of 246 passes (62.6%), accumulating 1,421 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also showcased his versatility on the ground, rushing for 444 yards and three touchdowns, adding another dimension to his game. Although the statistics might not fully capture his potential, Arnold’s dual-threat ability and command of the game are evident.
Arnold, a former consensus five-star recruit, was highly regarded during his high school years, being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. His strong performance in high school earned him a top spot among quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class, where he was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback and the No. 8 player overall. However, despite his individual talent, his college career at Oklahoma faced challenges. The team struggled offensively this season, ranking among the least effective in Power Five conferences. Injuries to key receivers and a less-than-ideal offensive line didn’t help Arnold’s development, and he often found himself under pressure.
Despite these challenges, Arnold had a standout performance in Oklahoma’s 24-3 upset victory over Alabama. In that game, Arnold rushed 25 times for 131 yards and completed 9 of 11 passes for 68 yards. His dynamic performance was one of the highlights of Oklahoma’s season and served as a reminder of his potential when given the right opportunities. That win was critical for Oklahoma, keeping their bowl eligibility streak intact, which dates back to 1999.
Now, with Arnold joining Auburn, the Tigers are hoping that his struggles in 2024 were an anomaly. While his time at Oklahoma had its ups and downs, Arnold’s natural talent and previous accolades suggest he is capable of achieving success. Auburn will work with him to help him regain the form that made him one of the nation’s top recruits in the 2023 class.
The 6-foot-1 quarterback’s arrival at Auburn comes with high expectations. He has the potential to be the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2025, and the team will be counting on him to elevate their offensive play. The challenges Arnold faced in Oklahoma, from injuries to his supporting cast to inconsistent offensive play, are behind him, and Auburn will look to maximize his potential in a more stable environment.
With his dual-threat ability, strong understanding of the RPO system, and deep-ball accuracy, Arnold could be the missing piece for Auburn’s offense. The Tigers are eager to see what he can achieve under Freeze’s guidance, as they hope to build a more potent and balanced offensive attack in the seasons to come. Arnold’s move to Auburn represents a fresh start, and with the right coaching and development, he could become a standout player in the SEC.
