The Auburn Tigers are coming off a disappointing season, and Hugh Freeze knows he can’t afford to wait any longer to turn things around. So, he dove into the transfer portal—and quarterback Jackson Arnold was the name that stood out.
By securing one of the top-ranked players in the portal, Freeze now has a key piece in Auburn’s transformation. And he believes Arnold is the perfect heir to Payton Thorne. His stats speak for themselves.
Hugh Freeze on Transfer Jackson Arnold
“You don’t get to become the Gatorade Player of the Year without a great skill set,” Freeze said, referring to Arnold’s high school success. “When I see the way he functions with the fundamentals of that position and what we want to do, it’s a pretty natural fit.”
Arnold brings SEC experience to Auburn, and with a favorable schedule this season, he’s poised to make an impact. With weapons like receiver Cam Coleman, Arnold is set to shake up the conference.
Hugh Freeze on transfer QB Jackson Arnold..
“That’s exciting for me to see that he has the ability to extend plays and I think he’s a really good thrower.. I mean there’s a reason he was Gatorade Player of the Year coming out of high school..hopefully we can capture some magic… pic.twitter.com/h185hTuWla
— Rosie Langello (@RosieLangello) January 24, 2025
Arnold’s time at Oklahoma showcased his dual-threat ability. In the 2024 season, he passed for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions, while adding 444 rushing yards and three scores.
“That’s exciting for me—to see that he can extend plays, and I think he’s a really good thrower,” Freeze said. “I mean, there’s a reason he was Gatorade Player of the Year coming out of high school. Hopefully, we can capture some magic together.”
Will Jackson Arnold usher in a new era at Auburn, or will he continue where he left off at Oklahoma?
MORE: ‘This Is Different’ – Auburn WRs Already See Difference with Jackson Arnold
Last season, Sooners head coach Brent Venables benched Arnold in favor of Michael Hawkins Jr. As a result, Arnold did not face his new team in Oklahoma’s 27-21 win over Auburn.
Freeze’s Confidence in Arnold
Freeze is confident in Arnold’s football IQ and leadership, regardless of the outcome.
After taking a cautious approach to the 2023 transfer portal, Freeze decided this time was different. He now has plenty of talent in the quarterback and receiving corps—but his excitement for Arnold stands out.
Freeze is particularly impressed by Arnold’s maturity, calling him “beyond his years.”
“He’s a perfect fit for our offense and for Auburn,” Freeze said.
It’s not just Arnold’s composure that excites Freeze. His dual-threat ability makes him a major weapon for the Tigers. With a strong arm for deep throws and a deep understanding of the RPO scheme, Arnold is primed to lead Auburn’s offense.
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As the Tigers prepare for the season, Arnold headlines an upgraded quarterback room that also features top recruit Deuce Knight and fellow transfer Ashton Daniels.
Arnold’s arrival signals a new direction for Auburn’s offense—one designed to compete and thrive in the SEC.
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