Jackson Arnold entered the transfer portal following a turbulent season at Oklahoma, which included being benched at halftime of game four and a midseason change in offensive coordinator.
He was seeking a fresh start in his career and found it at Auburn, where he brings two years of college experience and the maturity that frequently comes with overcoming adversity.
Jackson Arnold Transfers to Auburn: A New Chapter Begins
Arnold, a former five-star Oklahoma quarterback, has officially transferred to Auburn University. Arnold joins Auburn as the highest-rated quarterback in program history.
Jackson Arnold spoke to reporters today for the first time during spring ball, breaking down a number of different topics
On why he left Oklahoma, his transfer to Auburn and more ⬇️https://t.co/MGrErtpYOT
— Peter Rauterkus (@peter_rauterkus) April 9, 2025
During his time at Oklahoma, Arnold experienced a series of challenges that tested his endurance. He was benched midway through the 2024 season but eventually returned to the starting position.
He finished the season with 1,421 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions, plus 444 rushing yards and three scores. These challenges and experiences influenced his desire to pursue a fresh start at Auburn.
“You know, play the first three games, we’re 3-0, then go to Tennessee, have a bad first half and get benched,” said Arnold. “I feel like for me it was a wake-up call from God, just to kind of take a step back and root my identity in something other than the game.
“And really just go through that and just learn how to persevere through hard times, because to be quite honest it’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through my entire life, and just really being strong, being able to persevere, is something that I feel like I learned a lot last year.”
The junior quarterback has quickly settled in at Auburn, building connections with his new teammates and stepping right into an offense he is already familiar with.
“I feel like I fit very well,” said Arnold.
Hugh Freeze, Auburn’s head coach, expressed excitement about Arnold’s coming, citing his dual-threat ability and his knowledge of the run-pass option (RPO) strategy. Freeze noted:
“He’s as natural operating the RPO game as any kid mechanically that I’ve seen… He’s a dual-threat guy who understands the RPO system extremely well and throws the deep ball extremely well.”
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Arnold’s signing raises the level of competition in Auburn’s quarterback room, which also includes fellow five-star prospect Deuce Knight and top-10 QB Walker White. This is the first time in Auburn history that the program has two five-star quarterbacks on the roster.
With Arnold’s transfer, Auburn hopes to revive its offense and make an immediate impact in the coming season. His experience and skill level are believed to be critical to the team’s success in the highly competitive SEC context.
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