Ex-Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold commits to SEC rival Auburn

Jackson Arnold, a five-star quarterback prospect in the Class of 2023, is transferring to Auburn after two seasons at Oklahoma.

Auburn announced his signing on Saturday and said he becomes the highest-rated quarterback ever at the school, based on his recruiting ranking in high school. 247Sports listed him as the No. 4 quarterback and No. 10 overall player in his class coming out of Guyer High School in Denton, Texas.

He entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month.

"The fit he is for our offense and for Auburn, I couldn't be more excited," head coach Hugh Freeze told the school's website. "He's a dual-threat guy who understands the RPO (run-pass option) system extremely well and throws the deep ball extremely well."

At Oklahoma, Arnold began the 2024 season as the starter, lost his spot and later regained it as the Sooners went 6-6. He completed 154 of 246 passes (62.6 percent) for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 games. He also ran the ball 150 times for 444 yards and three TDs, including 25 attempts for 131 yards in the Sooners' 24-3 win over Alabama on Nov. 23.

As a freshman last season playing behind Dillon Gabriel, Arnold appeared in seven games and was 44 of 69 (63.8 percent) for 563 yards, four TDs and three picks.

"His deep ball has been very accurate," Freeze told the website. "Didn't throw a ton this year because they dealt with injuries at his previous school, so he didn't have a lot of shots but going back and watching all his Elite 11 and high school competition, he throws the deep ball as well as you see at most any level."

Freeze also said the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Arnold will bring other qualities to the program.

"A winner," Freeze said. "He's going to create a swagger around our offense that draws people to want to play at a higher level."

--Field Level Media