After choosing to stick with Payton Thorne and ignoring the transfer portal quarterback market in the 2023 offseason, Auburn returns to the portal ranks as they grab the former 5-star QB from the Class of 2023, Jackson Arnold.
Arnold starred under center at powerhouse Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, where his 3713 total yards and 34 touchdowns earned him 5-star status in the 2023 recruiting class. He’s listed at 6’1”, 211 lbs. and per the On3 recruiting rankings, Arnold finished as the 4th best quarterback and 8th overall player in their final 2023 class rankings.
After fielding offers from almost every school across the country, Arnold ultimately decided to commit to Head Coach Brent Venables and then offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and take his talents to Norman, Oklahoma for their first season in the SEC.
Oklahoma turned to Arnold as their starting signal caller to begin the 2024 season, until they decided to pull him at home against Tennessee in week 4, in favour of freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Oklahoma continued to start the athletic Hawkins over the former 5-star until Hawkins’ struggles forced them to turn to Arnold once again, ultimately letting him finish the season as their starter.
Arnold ended up finishing the 2024 campaign with just over 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns, before entering the transfer portal shortly after the season came to a close.
Auburn seemingly plans to bring in the ex-Oklahoma signal caller to the Plains for a quarterback battle throughout spring/fall camp between Arnold and heralded true freshman recruit Deuce Knight. Without knowing Hugh Freeze’s plans, there’s talk that Arnold was brought in to bridge the gap at the Quarterback position for the 2025 season before Deuce is ready to take over the reigns as their starter in 2026.
