One of the latest twists in the college football transfer portal involves Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit from the Class of 2023. Arnold’s decision to leave the Oklahoma Sooners for the Auburn Tigers has sparked backlash.
While the move offers him a fresh opportunity to reclaim his potential, sports analysts remain skeptical.
Jackson Arnold’s Leap to Auburn: Redemption or Risk?
Faced with a fractured dynamic at Oklahoma, Arnold sought a fresh start and landed at Auburn. His decision has stirred controversy, raising questions about whether he can thrive in the highly competitive SEC.
Arnold’s arrival brings both hope and doubt. With two years of eligibility remaining, he has the potential to develop into a leader for the Tigers. However, the pressure to deliver immediate results is immense. Early projections have fueled the hype, with Auburn ranked No. 11 in On3’s “way-too-early” college football rankings for 2025. Given the team’s struggles last season, this lofty expectation has raised eyebrows.
MORE: Get to know Jackson Arnold
Critics have not hesitated to express skepticism. On the Locked On Ole Miss podcast, Michael Katz remarked:
“Oh boy, you are putting a lot of stock in Jackson Arnold, goodness gracious!”
Meanwhile, Fansided’s Chris Landers shared similar concerns, ranking Arnold low among SEC quarterbacks and questioning whether he can handle the pressure.
Struggles at Oklahoma
Arnold’s stint at Oklahoma fell short of the hype that surrounded him as a high school star. After serving as Dillon Gabriel’s backup in 2023, Arnold took over as the Sooners’ starting quarterback in 2024.
His early struggles were evident in Oklahoma’s loss to Tennessee on Sept. 21, when he completed just seven of 16 passes for 54 yards and an interception. He was benched in favor of freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who started the following game against Texas. Injuries to key receivers further hampered the Sooners’ offense, leaving Arnold with limited weapons downfield.
Jackson Arnold Showcasing Auburn’s Path To Revival
Despite reclaiming the starting role later in the season, Arnold and the Sooners finished with a disappointing 6-6 record. He completed 154 of 246 passes for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions. His average of fewer than six yards per attempt reflected a stagnant offensive system that never found its rhythm.
The Tigers, coming off a 5-7 season, are in dire need of a reliable quarterback to steer the program back on track. Head coach Hugh Freeze has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Auburn’s quarterback play in 2024. Payton Thorne and Hank Brown combined for 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with their low point coming in a loss to Arkansas, where the duo threw four interceptions.
Oklahoma’s offensive struggles, from poor offensive line protection to a depleted receiving corps, made it difficult for Arnold to shine. Despite these challenges, he maintained a solid touchdown-to-interception ratio and showed flashes of his potential.
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Now, at Auburn, he has a chance to reset his career. Whether Arnold thrives or falters in the SEC remains to be seen, but his move is one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2025 season.
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