Hugh Freeze will face a decisive season with the Auburn Tigers in 2025.
The coach’s first two seasons on the plains yielded an 11-14 record, and many expect the squad to improve in 2025. Jackson Arnold will play a key role in determining whether or not the team takes that risk.
Arnold was a major acquisition for the Tigers via the transfer site. Arnold spent the last two seasons at Oklahoma, but he will now seek to revitalize his career with Freeze. On Wednesday, Freeze was asked how Arnold might fit in with the Tigers.
“Jackson, if you go back to his high school days, you don’t get to become the Gatorade Player of the Year without a great skillset,” Freeze told reporters. “When I see the way he functions with the fundamentals of that position, with what we want to do, it’s a pretty natural fit.”
Arnold appeared in 10 games for the Sooners in 2024, throwing for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions. The agile quarterback also rushed for 444 yards and three touchdowns this season.
In 2024, the Tigers’ quarterback play was inconsistent. Payton Thorne was benched in favor of Hank Brown, but Brown was also benched, prompting Thorne’s return.
The Tigers struggled with turnovers, finishing 120th in the country in turnover margin.
“I know our receivers are like, ‘This is different, this ball is spinning the right way,'” Freeze commented on Arnold’s performance.
Arnold will be joined in the quarterback room by top prospect Deuce Knight, as well as newcomers Ashton Daniels and Tanner Bailey from the gateway.