Jackson Arnold began the 2025 season as Auburn’s clear starting quarterback. The Oklahoma transfer was expected to stabilize the Tigers’ offense and give head coach Hugh Freeze the steady leadership the position had lacked.
Through the first half of the season, Arnold produced solid if unspectacular numbers, showing flashes of poise and mobility while managing the game efficiently. However, his recent performances have raised questions, and those concerns have now led to a major change under center.
Arnold’s struggles came to a head during Auburn’s Week 9 matchup against Arkansas. The mistake shifted the game’s momentum and prompted Freeze to make a quick decision. Arnold was replaced by Ashton Daniels before the break, and the sophomore finished the game efficiently in relief.
After a week of evaluation, Freeze decided that Daniels would start against Kentucky, officially benching Arnold for the first time this season. The decision reflects both the coaching staff’s desire to spark the offense and their confidence in Daniels’ ability to lead the team.
Freeze has made it clear that Auburn’s focus is on winning immediately, with just a handful of regular-season games left. Arnold’s 2025 numbers, 1,263 passing yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions on 131 completions in 207 attempts, show solid efficiency.
However, the Tigers have struggled to consistently generate explosive plays through the air. Now, the job belongs to Daniels, at least for the Kentucky game. He brings a different skill set, combining quick decision-making with solid pocket awareness.
Daniels transferred to Auburn after two seasons at Stanford, where he started in 2024 and gained valuable experience despite a tough season for the Cardinal offense.
Ashton Daniels’ Stats
Daniels’ Auburn resume is still small, but his brief showing against Arkansas caught attention. In that game, he completed six of eight passes for 77 yards and added 35 rushing yards on seven carries. His command of the offense was evident in his limited time on the field.
Before arriving at Auburn, Daniels played two seasons at Stanford. In 2024, he threw for 1,700 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing just under 63 percent of his passes. Despite the uneven stat line, his athleticism and ability to extend plays stood out in a struggling offense.
Now at Auburn, Daniels will have the opportunity to prove he can handle SEC competition as a starter. With the Kentucky game marking his first start for the Tigers, all eyes will be on how he manages the moment.
For Freeze, the decision underscores a simple point, Auburn is searching for stability, and Daniels has earned the chance to deliver it.
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