“I WILL LEAVE FOR GOOD” Oklahoma Sooners Football Confirm The Sad Departure Of Another Sensational QB Star.

SAD NEWS: Oklahoma Sooners Confirm Non-Renewal of QB Jackson Arnold, Who Transfers to Auburn

In a turning point for Oklahoma football, the Sooners have officially confirmed that quarterback Jackson Arnold will be exiting the program and joining Auburn University. Arnold, a former five-star recruit, had two seasons of eligibility remaining, and his departure marks the end of a chapter in Norman and the beginning of a fresh opportunity in the SEC with the Tigers.

Arnold arrived at Oklahoma in early 2023 as part of a highly-touted recruiting class. As a high school standout and Gatorade National Player of the Year, he entered college with sky-high expectations. In his freshman year, he redshirted before stepping in as a backup quarterback to Dillon Gabriel. Arnold showcased his potential in the season opener, completing all 11 pass attempts for 114 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 39 yards and another score against Arkansas State.

The 2024 season saw Arnold begin as Oklahoma’s starter following Gabriel’s departure. Over ten starts, he completed 62.6% of his passes for 1,421 yards, threw 12 touchdowns with three interceptions, and added 444 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground. Despite flashes of dual-threat capability, Arnold also endured inconsistencies, including a benching midway through the season after turning the ball over against Tennessee. Eventually, he regained the starting role and contributed to Oklahoma’s 6–6 finish.

Following the season, Arnold entered the NCAA transfer portal, officially declaring his intent to leave Oklahoma. Two weeks later, on December 14, 2024, Auburn University announced that Arnold had committed to the Tigers. According to Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, Arnold became the highest-rated quarterback to ever sign with the school, based on recruiting rankings. Freeze praised Arnold as a dual-threat quarterback who fits perfectly into Auburn’s RPO-heavy offensive scheme and praised his leadership potential.

Arnold has since spoken openly about his decision to transfer. He explained that Auburn’s coaching staff reached out immediately after he entered the portal, conveying their vision and scheme fit—particularly in areas where Arnold excels, like deep passing and run-pass options. Their early and committed communication played a major role in his choice to move to Auburn.

At Auburn’s SEC Media Days, Freeze reaffirmed his confidence in Arnold, highlighting his experience, competitiveness, and ability to bring “swagger” and a winning mentality to the Tigers’ offense. Freeze also cited Arnold’s deep-ball accuracy and knowledge of schemes that match Auburn’s playbook.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables spoke candidly about Arnold’s exit, admitting the school had initially hoped to retain him. The Sooners reportedly made efforts to keep Arnold in Norman, but ultimately respected his need for a fresh start. Venables emphasized Arnold’s character and professionalism despite a challenging season and maintained that the departure was part of the broader transition and roster reset underway.

Arnold’s departure leaves the Sooners with a changing quarterback dynamic. The rise of true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who took over when Arnold was benched and helped lead a turnaround late in the season, added another factor. Hawkins earned starts and scored confidence in the role, suggesting Oklahoma’s future might be less tied to Arnold’s return. Arnold’s move, nonetheless, reshapes the SEC quarterback landscape, especially with Auburn now positioning him as their starter.

Summary of key points:

• Jackson Arnold, a five-star Oklahoma QB, transferred to Auburn in December 2024.
• He accumulated over 1,400 passing yards and nearly 450 rushing yards in a mixed but productive sophomore season.
• Arnold was benched midseason, then recovered the starting role before entering the transfer portal.
• He cited Auburn’s fit with his skill set and proactive recruitment as decisive factors.
• Auburn coach Hugh Freeze praised him openly, while Venables confirmed Oklahoma had tried to keep Arnold.
• Auburn sees Arnold as a signal-caller ready to lead, while Oklahoma turns toward younger options like Hawkins.
• Despite the disappointment for Sooners’ fans, both coaches speak highly of Arnold’s future prospects.

While it’s naturally upsetting for Oklahoma supporters to lose a player of Arnold’s caliber—and the circumstances of his departure carry emotional weight—both parties agree that this decision represents the best path forward. For Arnold, this move provides a second chance and opportunity to thrive. For Oklahoma, it enables the program to pursue a different quarterback direction as the team evolves.