It could end up being a very emotional game for new Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold, but for now, the junior transfer from Denton, Texas, is playing it cool.
The game in question is Auburn’s SEC opener on September 20 in Norman against the Oklahoma Sooners. Those are Arnold’s old stomping grounds, as he was recruited by the Sooners and signed with Oklahoma as a 5-star quarterback on the 2023 recruiting trail.
Arnold spent the past two seasons in Norman and made 17 appearances and 10 starts. He was benched midway through last season and ultimately hit the transfer portal at year’s end.
Now he’s Hugh Freeze’s quarterback at Auburn, and there are certainly high expectations on him heading into his season. As far as Oklahoma is concerned, though, Arnold doesn’t seem interested in looking in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah, it’ll be a fun game. Extremely excited for that one,” said Arnold on “SEC This Morning” while attending SEC Media Days (h/t On3). “And, you know, no animosity whatsoever. I just think it’s going to be a fun environment to go and play. I really enjoyed playing in that stadium.”
To his credit, Arnold seems to be taking this transition in stride. He is also taking responsibility for his part in Oklahoma’s disappointing 6-7 record last season.
“I mean, for whatever reason, you know, I just didn’t play good,” he explained. “Things happen. Things happen for a reason…Sometimes things work out the way it’s supposed to be. You know, we’re on God’s timing, you know, not our timing. And, for me, I felt the best decision for me was to move on and move on somewhere else to get a fresh start, like you said, and go out and do what I know I can do with this Auburn squad this year.”
Arnold has that fresh start now at Auburn, and he has a chance to make a huge statement early in the season by walking into Norman and proving his doubters wrong.
Last season, he threw for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions, but he also committed multiple fumbles and ultimately struggled with running Oklahoma’s offense.
