Auburn University has officially secured its next quarterback, announcing the signing of Jackson Arnold, a former signal caller for the University of Oklahoma. Arnold, widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the transfer portal, departed from the Sooners after two seasons, following the hiring of Washington State’s Ben Arbuckle as their new offensive coordinator. The Tigers are hopeful that Arnold can step into the starting role, succeeding Payton Thorne, who struggled to find consistency in his two seasons as Auburn’s starting quarterback.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze expressed his excitement over the acquisition, highlighting Arnold’s potential fit within the team’s offensive system. “I couldn’t be more excited about the fit he is for our offense and for Auburn,” Freeze said in a statement. “He’s a dual-threat guy who understands the RPO (run-pass option) system extremely well and throws the deep ball extremely well.” This statement underlines Arnold’s versatility and the skill set that Auburn believes will elevate its offense in the coming seasons.
During his time at Oklahoma, Arnold started nine games, even though he briefly lost the starting job following a tough 25-15 loss to Tennessee in the Sooners’ SEC opener. Over the course of the 2024 season, Arnold completed 154 of 246 passes, resulting in a 62.6% completion rate for 1,421 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, and also contributed on the ground, rushing for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Despite these solid statistics, Arnold’s season was marred by struggles, particularly as Oklahoma’s offensive line struggled to protect him and a number of key receivers were sidelined due to injury.
Arnold, a highly touted recruit out of Denton, Texas, was ranked as one of the top players in his recruiting class. He was a consensus 5-star recruit and earned the title of Gatorade National Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. According to 247Sports, Arnold was ranked as the No. 60 overall player in the transfer portal and the No. 7 quarterback, signaling his high potential as a future college football star.
Despite the challenges he faced in 2024, Auburn is hopeful that Arnold’s rough season at Oklahoma was an outlier. With one of the least productive offenses in the Power Five conferences last season, Oklahoma’s struggles were compounded by an injury-riddled receiver corps and an offensive line that frequently failed to provide adequate protection. Arnold’s performance was undoubtedly impacted by these circumstances, and Auburn hopes that with better support, he can return to the form that made him one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks in his class.
Arnold did have some notable performances during the season, including a standout game in which he helped lead Oklahoma to a 24-3 upset win over Alabama. In that game, Arnold rushed for 131 yards on 25 carries and completed 9 of 11 passes for 68 yards. This victory was a highlight for the Sooners, showcasing Arnold’s dual-threat abilities and providing a glimpse of his potential. The win also helped Oklahoma maintain its streak of bowl eligibility, a streak that has extended every season since 1999.
As a 6-foot-1 quarterback, Arnold was ranked the No. 8 overall player and the No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class. Auburn is confident that with proper development and a better supporting cast, Arnold can return to his previous form and become the team’s starting quarterback in 2025. The Tigers are banking on Arnold’s potential to revitalize their offense, particularly as they aim for success in the SEC and beyond.
Auburn’s decision to bring Arnold on board comes after a series of ups and downs with Payton Thorne at quarterback. Thorne, who started for Auburn for two seasons, showed flashes of promise but struggled with consistency. His time as the Tigers’ starting quarterback was marked by challenges, including poor offensive line play and a lack of reliable receivers. Thorne’s inability to elevate Auburn’s offense played a significant role in the team’s decision to look for a new signal-caller through the transfer portal, leading them to Arnold.
The addition of Arnold represents a significant investment in the future of Auburn football. As one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal, Arnold’s signing signals the Tigers’ commitment to strengthening their quarterback position and building an offense that can compete in the highly competitive SEC. Auburn is optimistic that Arnold’s combination of arm strength, mobility, and football IQ will provide the foundation for a successful future.
In conclusion, Jackson Arnold’s decision to transfer to Auburn is a significant step for both the quarterback and the Tigers program. After a challenging season at Oklahoma, Arnold has the opportunity to reset his career and showcase his skills in a new system. With his dual-threat capabilities, deep ball accuracy, and strong understanding of the RPO system, Arnold has the potential to become the leader Auburn needs to turn its offense around. Auburn fans will be eager to see how he develops in the coming seasons, with high hopes that he will become a key figure in the team’s success in 2025 and beyond.
