Hugh Freeze has his quarterback.
Jackson Arnold, the former five-star who spent the last two seasons at Oklahoma, is signing with Auburn. Pete Nakos on On3 was the first to report the news.
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold has signed with Auburn, @On3sports has learned. https://t.co/VxSGJEUisH pic.twitter.com/Kl2aZnxsd0
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 14, 2024
Arnold was a consensus five-star in the 2023 signing class. He sat behind Dillon Gabriel in 2023, but assumed the starting role this season after Gabriel trasnfered to Oregon. Despite the lofty expectations, the on field success didn’t follow.
Head coach Brent Venables benched Arnold just four games into the season during a loss to Tennessee. Michael Hawkins, Jr., would start the next three games but was replaced by Arnold during the South Carolina game after his own struggles. Arnold would maintain the job for the reminder of the season.
Oklahoma was one of the worst offenses in college football in 2024 as they limped to a disappointing 6-6 record. The Sooners finished 96th in scoring at 24.3 point per game and 122nd in passing offense, averaging 167.6 yards per game.
Auburn had issues of their own. Four different quarterbacks took snaps for the Tigers during their 5-7 campaign. Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne and freshman Hank Brown were the primary signal callers.
Arnold will have an opportunity to face his old team. The Tigers open SEC play in Norman against the Sooners on Sept. 20.
