Former five-star recruit and Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback Jackson Arnold has found a new team through the transfer portal. On Saturday morning, Arnold committed to the Auburn Tigers, according to On3 Sports. This move comes after an eventful stint at Oklahoma, where he started 10 games during the 2024 season, including a loss to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl.
Arnold’s high school accolades were impressive, earning him recognition as the 2022 National Gatorade Player of the Year and MVP of the 2022 Elite 11 competition. After redshirting in 2023 behind Dillon Gabriel, a 2024 Heisman finalist, Arnold took over as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback. Though he showed flashes of potential, his performances were mixed. While he displayed strong leadership and athleticism, turnovers plagued him, such as a costly fumble in a critical game against Missouri.
Despite setbacks, Arnold had moments of brilliance. He rebounded from the Missouri loss with a strong showing against Maine and led Oklahoma to a statement victory over Alabama. In the upset win against the Crimson Tide, Arnold’s dual-threat capabilities shined as he rushed 25 times for 131 yards, demonstrating his ability to make plays on the ground.
For the 2024 season, Arnold completed 62.6% of his passes for 1,421 yards, throwing 12 touchdowns against three interceptions. He also contributed significantly with his legs, rushing for 444 yards and three additional touchdowns. However, Oklahoma’s season was hampered by injuries and inconsistent offensive line play, making it difficult for Arnold to find stability. These challenges, combined with turnovers, led to brief benching during a game against Tennessee, though Arnold bounced back later in the season with a strong effort against South Carolina.
Oklahoma’s offense underwent changes under new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who shifted the team’s approach. With Arnold entering the transfer portal, Michael Hawkins Jr. has been named the starter for the Sooners’ upcoming bowl game. The team is also exploring veteran quarterback options through the transfer portal.
At Auburn, Arnold will step into the role of starting quarterback, replacing Payton Thorne. The Tigers, coming off a disappointing 5-7 season, are hopeful Arnold can help turn their fortunes around. His move continues a trend of former Oklahoma players joining SEC teams, following Brenen Thompson’s transfer to Mississippi State and Bauer Sharp’s commitment to LSU.
Arnold’s time at Oklahoma demonstrated his resilience and potential, and Auburn will look to capitalize on his talent as they aim for a more successful 2025 season.
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