When Auburn football secured Jackson Arnold from the transfer portal, his talent was never in doubt. After a disappointing stint at Oklahoma, he made his return to the SEC, where head coach Hugh Freeze initially had some reservations.
Despite competition at quarterback, Arnold didn’t back down. His performance eventually earned Freeze’s respect and optimism.
“He just needed a fresh start, for whatever reason,” Freeze told On3 Sports. “I’m really encouraged by what I’ve seen—he has the arm strength, mobility, and football intelligence. What he needed most was confidence, and I believe he found some of that this spring while building chemistry with our receivers.
“But honestly, confidence and swagger don’t fully return until you’re in real game situations and finding success. Still, I feel good about both him and Deuce after what I saw this spring.”
As the season approaches, Auburn faces a difficult—but positive—choice at quarterback. Arnold may have simply needed encouragement and a change of scenery to unlock his potential.
Can Jackson Arnold lead Auburn to success? It’s hard to say, given how things ended at Oklahoma, where the team regressed and struggled offensively despite a strong defense.
Could Auburn face similar issues? Only time will tell.
Despite some competition at quarterback, Jackson Arnold didn’t back down, and as a result, head coach Hugh Freeze was encouraged by what he saw from the transfer portal addition.
“He just needed a fresh start, whatever the reason,” Freeze told On3 Sports. “I’m excited about his potential. He has the arm, the mobility, and the football IQ. What he’s been missing is confidence, and I think we saw that grow during the spring, especially as he built chemistry with our receivers.
“But honestly, true confidence and swagger only come once you’re in real game situations and finding success. Still, I’m very optimistic about both him and Deuce after what I saw this spring.”
Auburn faces a difficult decision as the season approaches—choosing a starting quarterback. But it’s the kind of decision every team wants: picking between strong options. For Arnold, a fresh start and positive reinforcement may have been just what he needed.
Can Jackson Arnold thrive at Auburn?
It’s hard to say, especially considering how things ended at Oklahoma. The team had an underwhelming season offensively, despite a solid defense.
Could Auburn face a similar issue?
That’s possible—but Freeze is known for his offensive expertise. He turned Liberty into a nationally relevant program and knows how to put together a strong offense.
Switching from Brent Venables’ defensive style at Oklahoma to Freeze’s offensive approach might be the exact change Arnold needed. A new setting might also be a key factor in his development.
Still, the SEC is no joke. It’s the most competitive conference in college football, with powerhouses like Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma presenting constant challenges.
Speaking of Oklahoma, they brought in standout QB John Mateer from the transfer portal.
As the countdown to the season begins, Freeze is likely hoping to settle on a starting QB soon. Based on his remarks, he seems willing to give Arnold time to adapt. And if Arnold’s skills and experience shine through, he could very well be Auburn’s starter when they face Baylor in Week 1.