Jackson Arnold has rejoined the Heisman Trophy race with big opportunities ahead

Auburn is in a comfortable position heading into Week 4, and Jackson Arnold is the reason. The Tigers’ new signal-caller has validated his ability as a dual threat quarterback, totaling 693 yards so far in 2025.

It isn’t normal for Auburn fans to enter SEC play feeling confident. The Tigers’ last 3-0 start came in 2023, and Auburn hasn’t reached a seven-win season since Gus Malzahn led the program.

But times have changed.

After years of promise and disappointment, the Tigers are undefeated thus far in 2025 with a road win over Baylor in Waco, Texas. For the first time in the Hugh Freeze era, Auburn fans believe in the Tigers’ offense, and despite obvious holes in the defense—along with a few injuries—the team looks strong.

Arnold has surprised a lot of people. Everyone knows the former 5-star recruit is a high-achiever. As the 2022-2023 Gatorade National Player of the Year and 2022 Landry Award winner, the high school standout was an early frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy when he committed to play under Brent Venables.

While he was at Oklahoma, Arnold learned that things don’t always go according to plan.

After a mismatched sophomore year where Jackson led the Sooners to a bumpy 5-5 record, the Oklahoma quarterback was benched, replaced, and eventually entered the transfer portal. By the time he finally arrived in Auburn, Jackson Arnold was out of the Heisman conversation.

Fortunately, Arnold has thrived on the Plains. Questions loomed over his potential under Hugh Freeze, yet Jackson laid all concerns to rest when he rushed for 137 yards against Baylor and utilized key receivers Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr.

Arnold went on to prove his ability with his arm against Ball State and South Alabama. The Tigers’ new signal-caller threw for 393 yards across the two-game stretch and solidified Auburn as an AP Top-25 Team.

“He’s been very solid,” said Hugh Freeze on Monday. “The first game [against Baylor] obviously was what it was, and he did what he needed to do for our team. Second game, he completed 80% of his passes or so, that’s pretty good. He’s taking care of the ball.”

And now Arnold has joined On3’s prestigious Heisman Trophy watchlist, entering the same conversation as national standouts Jeremiah Smith and Carson Beck.

Saturday’s matchup in Norman has never looked more important for Arnold.

Auburn’s signal-caller will return to the Palace on the Prairie and face his former coach, Brent Venables, who isn’t afraid to admit that Arnold is an exceptional athlete.

“Jackson’s one of the most talented players in all of college football,” Venables said on SEC’s teleconference per Jerry Humphrey of AL.com. “He can throw. He’s got a big arm, can run and has great capacity intellectually as a football player. He has great leadership skills, and he’s been a winner his whole life.”

Oklahoma’s John Mateer has proven himself as the face of the Sooners’ offense and—with the Tigers’ defense showing weaknesses—will be difficult to outscore. Jackson Arnold will need to elevate his game if he wants to secure an Auburn victory.

“He’s got this competitive spirit about him, and it’s going to be needed in the upcoming games for sure,” said Freeze. “I think he is in a good spot. Obviously we haven’t been tested like we're getting ready to be tested, so we’ll see how he performs against some of the best teams in the nation the next few weeks, starting Saturday.”

Leading the Tigers to a 4-0 start with a keystone victory against Brent Venables #11 ranked Oklahoma Sooners could position Arnold as a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

Kickoff is set for 2:30PM CST on Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma. With the Tigers entering a difficult stretch of SEC games—including a trip to College Station and crucial games against Georgia and Missouri—the outcome of Saturday’s matchup could determine whether the Tigers meet their goal of making the SEC championship and qualify for the College Football Playoff.