Jackson Arnold is simultaneously AU's potential savior and the weakest link in an offense that's currently far behind the defense in fall camp. That's what Auburn Tigers On SI's Gunner Norene feels about the weight on the Oklahoma Sooners transfer's shoulders.
Norene sent the bad news and worrying statement in a piece highlighting the pressure Arnold and head coach Hugh Freeze are under in 2025.
"In regard to Auburn’s overall offensive outlook thus far in fall camp, recent reports from sources close to the program have consistently revealed that the defense is winning the vast majority of the days, including the Tigers’ scrimmage in Jordan-Hare last weekend. However, it’s generally not unusual for the defense to be ahead of the offense in the early stages of preseason practice," Norene wrote.
"There’s a lot of chatter around Arnold and if he can lift Auburn over the hump this year. Obviously, other factors play into the success of the team, but it’s not crazy to argue that the Tigers’ season trajectory – and maybe even Freeze’s seat temperature – could rest on the shoulders of Arnold."
Deuce Knight staying ready if Jackson Arnold falters
Freeze has a backup plan for Arnold in freshman blue-chip Deuce Knight out of Lucedale, Mississippi. As insider Phillip Dukes explained, Knight is staying ready in case he's needed this season for any reason.
"Part of the beauty of having a guy like Deuce Knight being able to go with the twos and the threes is that you get quality quarterback play to know what you have in the future or to know what you even have right now when you can rotate a guy," Dukes said on his podcast.
Auburn's hope of being competitive are not 100% all-in on Arnold. They're mostly on Arnold, but before Arnold arrived, Tiger fans were preparing for potentially seeing a true freshman at the forefront of the QB competition.
Freeze is not in the same boat. He needs to be a good leader, on offense as the play-calling czar, on the recruiting trail like he's been, and in a general sense behind the scenes and day-to-day.
Varying degrees of pressure are pushing down on Freeze, and pushing down on Arnold.
Pressure creates diamonds, as they say.