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Hugh Freeze Sends Strong Message on Oklahoma Transfer Jackson Arnold

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Logan Fowler | Last updated May 20, 2025 10:52 AM ET

In an interview with The Next Round Live, Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze outlined the blueprint for transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold’s success in Year 1 with the Tigers.

Signing with the Oklahoma Sooners as a five-star and the No. 8 player in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports’ rankings, Arnold had a rather lackluster year in his first year at the helm of the Sooners’ offense as he was benched just four games in – ahead of the Sooners’ matchup with Auburn – for freshman Michael Hawkins. Jr.

As one of the first coaches to reach out to Arnold when entering the transfer portal this spring, Freeze has expressed that Arnold is the Tigers’ number one guy and says that regaining some of the confidence and swagger that made him a 2022 National Gatorade Player of the Year out of Guyer High School in Texas is just what he needs to get back to that level in 2025.

“I think the whole deal is confidence. I think if he can regain some of that swagger and confidence that a Gatorade Player of the Year has, he’s got all the tools… this spring I witnessed that,” Freeze said in the interview.

After an up-and-down season with the Sooners last year in an offense that was hampered by injuries, especially in the wide receiver room, Arnold is now working with an uber-talented group of pass catchers. The unit includes two of the top receivers in the country, and Freeze believes they helped him build confidence throughout the spring.

“I think a lot of that has to do with the receivers around him. He now has great confidence that, ‘Man if I throw a 50-50 ball in a one-on-one situation to (Eric) Singleton, Malcom (Simmons) Perry (Thompson), Horatio (Fields) or Cam (Coleman), I think that our guys have a good chance of succeeding,” said Freeze.

After four straight losing seasons, Auburn must improve in Year 3 under Freeze’s tutelage, and its success may rest in the hands of Arnold under center.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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