Entering the 2024 season, Jackson Arnold was supposed to take the baton from Dillon Gabriel and lead the Oklahoma Sooners to a successful debut season in the SEC. Yet, after just three games and two quarters, Arnold was benched in favor of a true freshman, casting a shadow on his future in Norman.
Will Jackson Arnold Enter the Transfer Portal?
Arnold’s rise and fall has shocked the college football world, but his collegiate career has only just begun. The former five-star recruit joined the Sooners last January and backed up Gabriel, playing in six games, including a start in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona.
In that contest, Arnold flashed his potential, throwing for 361 yards and rushing for another 38. However, he also showed room for growth with three interceptions.
With Gabriel off to Oregon, it was Arnold’s time to shine — until it wasn’t.
Through three games (and a quarter and a half against Tennessee), Arnold struggled to complete 60% of his passes or throw for 200+ yards in a single outing, and the Denton, Texas, native turned the ball over nine times.
Now, it wasn’t all on Arnold, as the WR corps has been riddled with injuries all season, and the offensive line has struggled to pass protect or pave rushing lanes. It’s not as if true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. has been all that much better, but his dual-threat ability has provided a spark the coaching staff needed.
Head coach Brent Venables has said he talked with Arnold about a potential redshirt but didn’t announce a decision either way, saying the signal-caller “wants to be the starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma.”
Just last offseason, we saw two high-profile passers — Malachi Nelson and Ty Thompson — leave their original programs only to be relegated to the bench in the Group of Five. Yet, Arnold has had the chance to showcase his upside, which should translate to an abundance of suitors.
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Having played in four games, Arnold would burn his redshirt opportunity if he stepped on the field. He may have been holding out hope Hawkins struggles as well, allowing him to get another shot, but that hasn’t come to fruition yet.
Arnold would be far from the first player to redshirt and transfer this year. Multiple players have done the same, including UNLV QB Matthew Sluka, who opened the floodgates after four contests.
If Arnold does enter the portal, which schools provide the best landing spots?
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Arnold’s first offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby, left Oklahoma for the head coach position at Mississippi State last year. Lebby brought in former Baylor QB Blake Shapen to head up the offense, but a shoulder injury ended his season after just four games. Despite being a redshirt senior, he could receive another year of eligibility through a medical waiver.
Additionally, true freshman Michael Van Buren Jr. has played well in relief, though it hasn’t translated to wins. (The Bulldogs are 1-6 entering week 8.)
So, why would Arnold pick Starksville as his next destination? His familiarity with Lebby, for one, but also the chance to remain in the SEC on a program on the rise.
Auburn Tigers
Speaking of staying in the SEC…
The Auburn Tigers are a quarterback away from truly competing in the conference, as Payton Thorne and Hank Brown have routinely thrown the ball to the other team.
While Arnold has been turnover-prone himself, Hugh Freeze would be wise to bring him in and attempt to rein in his obvious physical tools.
Michigan Wolverines
In terms of teams with QB problems, Michigan may be in an even worse position than Auburn, as the Wolverines are on their third-string signal-caller.
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Starter Davis Warren, backup Alex Orji, and QB3 Jack Tuttle have struggled to do anything with the talent around them, combining for a 60.9% completion rate, 5.2 yards per attempt, and six touchdowns vs. eight interceptions.
Arnold is no guarantee, but he should be an upgrade over what is currently in Ann Arbor.
Boston College Eagles
Bill O’Brien recruited Arnold while he was at Alabama, and with his 2024 starter Thomas Castellanos leaving in the offseason, he’ll need a new QB1 in 2025.
O’Brien knows a thing or two about catering an offense to his signal-caller’s skill set, which is exactly what Arnold needs to turn his career around. Plus, moving from the vaunted SEC to the wide-open ACC should offer more opportunities to thrive.
TCU Horned Frogs/Baylor Bears
Texas and Texas A&M have their long-term QBs in-house already, but if Arnold wants to return to his home state, TCU and Baylor could offer him a fresh start. Both programs offered him coming out of high school, and much of the coaching staffs remain in place.
Although the Horned Frogs (Josh Hoover) and the Bears (Sawyer Robertson) have junior quarterbacks under center who have flashed at times, Arnold’s arrival would bring immediate competition for the starting role, along with the stability of a long-term option.
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