One of the most coveted quarterbacks in the transfer portal has chosen his next destination, as a former Oklahoma starter. Jackson Arnold signed with Auburn Saturday morning, wrapping up the recruitment of the former five-star recruit.

According to a release from Auburn, Arnold – ranked No. 8 in the 247Sports Composite in 2023 in Denton, Texas – is the highest-rated quarterback recruit to sign with the Tigers. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Arnold started 10 games for the Earlier in 2024, but was benched for two games after struggling at Tennessee in late September. He did not play in Oklahoma’s 27–21 victory at Auburn on September 28.

In total, Arnold accounted for 1,865 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. He led Oklahoma to a 24-3 upset victory over then-No. 7 Alabama on November 23, totaling 131 yards. It is ranked #2 in AthleticsIt is the 30 best quarterbacks in the transfer portal.

In a video posted by Auburn Football on social media, Arnold explained his reasons for choosing to be the Tigers’ presumptive next starting quarterback:

Special things are happening on the Plains

Welcome 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄, @_JacksonArnold_!

pic.twitter.com/2ezRjQYO5u

– Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 14, 2024

“This place is special and there’s no other place I’d want to be,” he said. “I believe in Auburn and I love it.”

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has been looking for a dynamic quarterback since being hired in 2022. Starter Payton Thorne is a graduate and backup Hank Brown recently entered the transfer portal and committed to Iowa. After the Tigers went 6-7 and 5-7 in his first two years at the helm, Freeze believes Arnold can be the missing piece to return Auburn to relevance.

“He’s in good shape for our offense and for Auburn, I couldn’t be more excited,” Freeze said in a statement. “He’s a dual-threat guy who understands the RPO system extremely well and throws the deep ball extremely well. Everything I’ve learned about him during this recruiting process and through conversations with many other people I deeply respect really excites me.

Auburn’s first SEC game next season will be at Oklahoma on September 20.

How does Arnold fit in at Auburn?

Arnold fills a big need for the Tigers, who have lacked elite quarterback play in the Freeze era. The Tigers went through the portal before the 2024 season, but didn’t take a starting quarterback and stuck with Thorne, who finished fourth in the SEC in passing yards per game (246.6) and fifth in passer rating, throwing for 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. With Thorne and Brown gone, the Tigers needed someone with talent and experience to play right away.

Auburn also signed Deuce Knight, a top 50 prospect in its 2025 recruiting class, earlier this month after the stunning Notre-Dame. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Knight is the No. 33 player in the country in the 247Sports Composite. Coaches love his size and ability to double-threat. If Arnold falters like he did in Norman, it will be fascinating to see how soon Freeze considers turning to his true freshman.

But despite Arnold’s struggles at Oklahoma in 2024, opinion of him in the transfer market was largely optimistic. An opposing scouting director described Arnold’s situation at Oklahoma as “really bad” given that the Sooners made a midseason offensive coordinator change, the receiver’s depth chart was ravaged by injuries and that they were statistically one of the worst teams in the country in pass protection. A Power 4 personnel director felt Arnold was mishandled by the OU staff and, after Arnold entered the portal, predicted, “He’ll be a stud wherever he goes next.” »

Auburn was one of the first teams to meet Arnold and visit him after he entered the portal. The Tigers believe in his talent and hope to surround him with the type of supporting cast that can unlock his potential.

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(Photo: Brian Bahr/Getty Images)