QB Jackson Arnold Joins Auburn After Oklahoma Transfer in Portal; Former 5-Star
December 14, 2024
Nearly two weeks after announcing he was leaving Oklahoma to enter the transfer portal, Jackson Arnold found a new home with the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.
Auburn Football @AuburnFootballSpecial things happening on The Plains π¦ <br><br>Welcome ππππ, <a href="https://twitter.com/_JacksonArnold_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_JacksonArnold_</a>!<br><br>π° <a href="https://t.co/Q5xlub3Dhg">https://t.co/Q5xlub3Dhg</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ezRjQYO5u">pic.twitter.com/2ezRjQYO5u</a>
Pete Nakos of On3 Sports first reported Arnold's decision and noted the sophomore quarterback had a planned visit with Mississippi State called off because he is "locked in" with the Tigers.
Pete Nakos @PeteNakos_A source confirms to <a href="https://twitter.com/On3sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@On3sports</a> that Jackson Arnold's trip to Mississippi State has been called off. Locked in with Auburn.<a href="https://t.co/MiRKzikWit">https://t.co/MiRKzikWit</a> <a href="https://t.co/BMH5aU9L4o">https://t.co/BMH5aU9L4o</a>
ESPN's Max Olson reported on Dec. 4 that Arnold was entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Arnold was one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits coming out of high school in 2023. He was a 5-star prospect and No. 8 overall player in the class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Oklahoma got Arnold to sign a letter of intent in December 2022 after he also had strong interest from Notre Dame and Mississippi.
Arnold played behind Dillon Gabriel in his first season with the Sooners. He was elevated to the starting job in 2024 after Gabriel transferred to Oregon.
The Sooners benched Arnold late in the first half against Tennessee on Sept. 21 after he committed three turnovers. Michael Hawkins Jr., who finished the loss against the Vols, started the next two games against Auburn and Texas.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables went back to Arnold as the starting quarterback for the Oct. 19 game against South Carolina. The 20-year-old finished this season with for 1,421 yards with 12 touchdowns and a 62.6 completion percentage in 10 games.
In addition to the quarterback carousel that happened in Oklahoma, Venables fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell on Oct. 20 after a scoring a combined 12 points in losses to Texas and South Carolina.
Auburn needed to add depth at quarterback with Payton Thorne out of eligibility, plus Hank Brown and Holden Geriner transferring. Brown has committed to Iowa.
Arnold could enter next season as the Tigers starter with redshirt freshman Walker White and true freshman Deuce Knight being the only other quarterbacks on the roster right now.
