After bringing back quarterback Payton Thorne and producing another season with a losing record, Auburn football Head Coach Hugh Freeze knew it was imperative to get the quarterback decision right in the 2025 season.
Former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the Sooners, and committed to the Tigers quickly after the end of the 2024 season. Arnold spent most of the previous year as the Sooners' starter, but was benched for a couple of games as the team struggled on offense. Oklahoma dealt with a lot of injured wide receivers, and ultimately there was an offensive coordinator change mid-season.
Both Arnold and Freeze are hoping for a fresh start and an improved performance this year. Freeze named Arnold the official QB1 early on after Arnold and incoming freshman Deuce Knight spent the spring as the only two quarterbacks on the Plains with Ashton Daniels joining later. Though Arnold has locked down the starting job, Freeze still wants a level of healthy competition from the rest of the position group.
"Jackson is the No. 1," Freeze said Wednesday morning at the Regions Tradition fundraiser in Hoover, per Auburn Undercover. "Now, do I want him to be pushed by Deuce and Ashton every single day? Absolutely.
"Do I want Jackson feeling like it's his, and getting that confidence and swagger? Yes. Do I want him looking over his shoulder thinking, dang, Deuce and Ashton had two really good practices today? Yes. I want both."
Freeze and Arnold have both spoken extensively about Arnold's fit in the offense, with the quarterback saying Freeze's offensive schemes are similar to what he experienced in high school. With an improved group of wide receivers and a scheme that fits the QB, the Tigers are hoping for an improved offense this fall.