Auburn football has a new starting quarterback: Jackson Arnold. He’s a former Oklahoma signal caller who transferred after a rough redshirt freshman year.
Head coach Hugh Freeze says he trusts Arnold’s abilities. Freeze actually decided to recruit Arnold because of what he saw in high school, not because of what happened at Oklahoma.
On David Pollack’s See Ball Get Ball podcast, Freeze talked about what drew him to Arnold. He explained why he thinks Arnold fits Auburn’s offense.
Jackson Arnold’s High School Stardom
Freeze’s interest in Jackson Arnold mostly goes back to Arnold’s high school days. Arnold was a standout, earning Gatorade Player of the Year and some even called him the nation’s top quarterback.
Freeze thinks Arnold has the elite skills Auburn’s offense needs. That’s not just coach-speak—he sounds genuinely impressed.
High School Accolades
In high school, Arnold showed off serious talent and leadership. He racked up plenty of attention from big college programs.
- Gatorade Player of the Year
- Top-ranked quarterback in the country
- Impressive stats and leadership qualities
Challenges at Oklahoma
Arnold’s high school success didn’t guarantee a smooth ride in college. At Oklahoma, he had to work with three different offensive coordinators. The receiving corps? Injuries everywhere.
His 2024 stats: 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, three picks. He even got benched for a bit.
Why Auburn is the Right Fit
Freeze feels sure Arnold has what it takes to thrive at Auburn. He says Arnold’s potential to lead the team stood out to him from the start.
Even Oklahoma seemed to see Arnold as their next guy, letting Dillon Gabriel go. That says a lot about what Arnold can do, right?
Offensive Compatibility
Freeze keeps saying Arnold’s skills match what Auburn wants to do. Arnold can read defenses, make quick decisions, and run the plays the offense needs.
Freeze is betting big on Arnold as he gets ready to plug him into Auburn’s system.
Looking Ahead
With the new season coming up, all eyes are on Jackson Arnold. He’ll be one of Auburn’s three player reps at SEC Media Days, along with Connor Lew and Keldric Faulk.
This is Arnold’s shot to show off his leadership and talk about where he wants to take the team.
SEC Media Days Representation
Arnold’s spot at SEC Media Days really matters. He’ll be there with Lew and Faulk, representing Auburn and sharing what the team’s working toward this season.
Conclusion
Jackson Arnold’s journey started as a high school star. Now, he’s a college quarterback facing real adversity and a new chapter at Auburn.
Hugh Freeze seems to genuinely believe in Arnold’s abilities. That kind of trust says a lot about Arnold’s talent and grit.
The new season’s coming up fast. Auburn fans are probably wondering—will Arnold rise to the challenge and make an impact?
For more details on Hugh Freeze’s thoughts on Jackson Arnold and the transfer portal, you can read the full article on AL.com.
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