Due to varying factors, the Auburn football team has struggled over the past several seasons to find a quarterback who can be a game changer and playmaker.
Since Bo Nix left the Plains for Oregon, Robby Ashford, TJ Finley and Payton Thorne are just a few of the quarterbacks who have attempted to take the reins of the Tigers' offense. Head coach Hugh Freeze spent his first two seasons at Auburn backing Thorne and ended those two seasons with losing records.
Heading into his third year, things have to be different for Freeze's team, and he is wagering his bets on former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, who transferred to the Plains after spending two seasons with the Sooners. Arnold faced adversity, himself, last year, and was benched for two games before returning and finishing out the season.
Now, he has a tall task facing him at Auburn, but Arnold reports that his confidence heading into the fall is "extremely high." He was elected to the Tigers' leadership council in June, he represented the team at SEC Media Days in July, and will lead the offense starting in August. But he's been taking on that leadership role since day one.
"I made sure everyone knew I was going to take control of this team and lead them," Arnold said, per Auburn Undercover.
According to offensive lineman Connor Lew, Arnold's leadership has made a big impression on the team.
"It came down to his natural command of the team," center Connor Lew said. "Obviously you want a quarterback that won't shy away from that type of stuff and will speak up when needed. I think he showcased that from the moment he stepped on campus and kind of took the team over by doing that."
The Tigers return to action on August 29 against the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas.