Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold is reportedly skipping the Manning Passing Academy this summer. According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Arnold is choosing to use that time to immerse himself in the Tigers’ playbook under Hugh Freeze, offensive coordinator Derrick Nix, and quarterbacks coach Kent Austin, while continuing to build rapport with his teammates.
“QB Jackson Arnold wants to spend every minute he can with his (Auburn) WRs this summer, so much so that he doesn’t plan to attend the Manning Passing Academy,” Low reported. “Arnold was honored by the invite, but Hugh Freeze said he didn’t want to miss crucial time developing chemistry.”
Freeze has been openly impressed with Arnold, particularly his arm talent, poise, and mobility in the pocket.
“Jackson Arnold, very optimistic,” Freeze said in March, via AL.com. “He’s got a calm demeanor and confidence. He understands the game and has a high football IQ. His arm strength is solid. There’s a reason he was the Gatorade Player of the Year out of high school.”
“I think he needed a fresh start to rebuild his confidence, and he’s doing that quickly. His decision-making has been sharp, and he’s throwing a very accurate ball. I’ve been really impressed with his pocket presence—he keeps his eyes downfield even with pressure and uses his legs effectively when needed.”
Arnold’s decision to stay close to campus and invest in his development could suggest he’s fully committed to leading Auburn’s resurgence in 2025—or perhaps he’s just trying to get up to speed in a new system. Either way, it reflects a strong buy-in.
All signs currently point to Arnold securing the starting quarterback job, with early spring performances hinting that freshman Deuce Knight may be pushing into the No. 2 role ahead of Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels.