SEC Spring Breakout Players: Auburn QB Jackson Arnold

By Chris Marler

On Sunday we highlighted Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman. Now, today’s player will be the one throwing to him – quarterback Jackson Arnold. 

Arnold’s Journey to Auburn

Arnold transferred from Oklahoma and is set to begin his first season with Auburn. However,the former five-star enters his third collegiate season after an odd journey.

Special things happening on The Plains 🦅

Welcome 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄, @_JacksonArnold_!

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— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 14, 2024

Early College Career

Originally, 247Sports ranked Jackson as a consensus five-star and top-10 national player. Arnold enrolled early at Oklahoma but spent his freshman season behind eventual Heisman finalist Dylan Gabriel. Following that season, Gabriel transferred to Oregon, leading the Ducks to 13 straight wins and a two-month stretch as the No. 1 team. Meanwhile, Arnold took over at Oklahoma but was benched by October. 

A Rocky Sophomore Season

Arnold returned from the bench and started the rest of the season. As a result, Arnold led the Sooners to a historic upset over Alabama, clinching their 24th consecutive bowl appearance. However, the season itself felt like a huge failure. Very little of that failure was on the shoulders of Jackson Arnold. 

Challenges at Oklahoma

Arnold endured one of the worst offensive lines in the country while at Norman.To make matters worse, the Sooners ranked dead last in the FBS in sacks allowed with 50. He was also throwing to a MASH unit at receiver with his top five wide receivers out for roughly the entirety of conference play. 

Why Arnold’s Future Looks Bright at Auburn

That last tidbit is where the confidence comes from moving forward with Arnold. The instant upgrade Arnold will have at his disposal at receiver will be huge. In fact, Arnold may see the biggest positional upgrade in college football from 2024 to 2025 at receiver.

Expert Insight: Mike Gittens’ Take

We talked with Mike Gittens from Auburn’s War Rapport on Jackson Arnold and what he expects from the third year transfer.

“Jackson Arnold has the massive advantage of having one of the best receiving corps in the country. Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. will give Arnold an incredible security blanket. Hugh Freeze will look to push the ball up the field even more this season. Freeze QBs average about 400 attempts per season but have fallen short of that number his first two years on the Plains. This year will reverse that trend, and Arnold will be the beneficiary.”

Auburn’s Investment in Arnold

Auburn invested a lot into Arnold as well as this year’s team, in what could be a make or break year for Hugh Freeze. The Tigers were one of the biggest spenders in the portal. Now is the time to put it all together and Arnold should have a huge part in being a catalyst to do so.