Former Auburn Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold doesn't seem to mind the bumps he took on the Plains or in Norman. In fact, Arnold sees potential value in them if everything pans out with the UNLV Rebels this fall.
While speaking to On3's Wilson Alexander, Arnold deadpanned, "If it was me having to go through two schools and struggle to really open up and perform at the level that I know I can, then that’s what it takes."
That's an extremely healthy view on two toxic situations that didn't serve his career well.
Oklahoma never gave Jackson Arnold a chance to succeed
Arnold had high expectations at OU after following up a strong year from Dillon Gabriel in 2023 during his redshirt freshman season in 2024. Unfortunately, he couldn't meet them for very basic reasons that were beyond his control.
First and foremost, the reason why most quarterbacks fail, Arnold had no protection. The Sooners' offensive line ceded 50 sacks that year, with 34 of them coming with Arnold under center. Michael Hawkins Jr. was objectively better at not holding onto the ball too long, but even his 16 sacks were high. Hawkins had a 4.43 40-yard dash time to Arnold's 4.63. Both are elusive and athletic, but neither could survive SEC defenses with the line in front of them. There wasn't a definitive blindside tackle all season because of injuries.
There wasn't a sturdy foundation all season from a play-calling standpoint either. Seth Littrell was fired midway through the season and replaced with Joe Jon Finley, who didn't have a smooth time in the seat, to say the least. He was swiftly replaced by Ben Arbuckle after the 2024 season.
It was a losing situation in 2024. From the jump, there were too many issues to overcome. Unfortunately, Arnold found a lot of money, but not a good culture in his next stop either.
Hugh Freeze recruited great WRs, but little else for Jackson Arnold
Where to begin on where Hugh Freeze did Arnold and his backup-turned-usurper under center, Ashton Daniels, wrong...
Let's start at the same spot we did with Brent Venables and Co.: the offensive line. While the guard play was good, there was again an issue at the tackle spot. Xavier Chaplin struggled from the left side, while neither Mason Murphy nor Izavion Miller grabbed the brass ring on the right side. It's tough to find a talented receiving corps without room to actually throw the ball.
Beyond the recruiting woes, Freeze simply didn't harbor a good locker room culture. The guys who got paid were the guys who laid back. Arnold simply couldn't overcome that with his leadership, especially coming in with little confidence from an underwhelming tenure in Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, Freeze's play-calling system, which included two other cooks in the kitchen, Derrick Nix and Kent Austin, was a meme that played out as such until the head coach was let go in early November after a 10-3 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
AU had potential as a destination, as a 38-24 road win over the Baylor Bears in Week 1 proved. Still, Arnold clearly chose wrong a second time in his collegiate career, given what we'd find out about Freeze's ability to lead in Lee County.
UNLV is Jackson Arnold's last chance, but it's a good one
Rebels head coach Dan Mullen, like Arnold, flamed out in the SEC. Mullen's failures towards the end of his Florida Gators coaching tenure were infamous in Gainesville. The Gators still haven't recovered, either.
Mullen has, though. UNLV won the Mountain West Championship in year one under Mullen and finished 10-4. Arnold is stepping in to keep a new standard high, but the competition will pale in comparison with what he's used to. Mullen has the MWC figured out, and Arnold may soon benefit from it.
It's been a long road for Arnold, but based on his attitude, it may finally lead to what he's looking for. In what will definitely be his last chance because of imminent changing eligibility laws, Arnold should finally reach his potential. He's set up to from what anyone could tell right now, anyway.
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