Auburn Football QB Jackson Arnold did not have a great debut season with the Sooners. If he did, he’d probably still be seen as Oklahoma’s best hope. Instead, Arnold is hoping for a second opportunity during his second collegiate season.
According to the Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber, Arnold is the 12th-best quarterback in the SEC heading into the 2025 season, ahead of Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen, Missouri’s Beau Pribula, and Kentucky’s Zach Calzada.
“The Tigers’ offensive was either boom or bust this season, with turnovers dominating for much of the year. Enter Arnold, who had a tough debut season as a starter, gaining 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns with only three interceptions while struggling with ball-security issues. Arnold ran for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Much of his troubles were caused by a lack of protection from OU’s offensive line, as well as a dearth of wide receiver targets. Arnold still possesses the talent that made him one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the 2023 class,” Aber said.
Surprisingly, opinions on Arnold differ. John Adams of the Knoxville News Sentinel credited Arnold as being one of the key reasons the Tigers could be the conference’s No. 5 team.
“The Tigers could be the league’s most improved club, in part because they underperformed in 2024. “Adding former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold and former Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton from the transfer portal should improve the Tigers’ offense,” Adams said.
Split polarized sentiments on Arnold reflect general assessment of AU heading into the 2025 season. While they have the talent to win, Hugh Freeze’s hit-or-miss coaching record on the Plains has many people hesitant to crown the Tigers as anything more than a squad with a lot of promise.