Hugh Freeze explains why Jackson Arnold was an ideal fit for Auburn

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is a big fan of Jackson Arnold and what he can bring to the table. The former Oklahoma quarterback transferred in and will get a fresh start in 2025.

Heck, he’s all in with Auburn by even skipping the Manning Passing Academy to get acclimated. There have been some highs and lows with Arnold after two years at Oklahoma.

But Freeze chose to focus on the positives and he’s seen it for quite a long time. That dates back to Arnold’s high school days.

“I knew of him out of high school, and his fundamentals for what we want to do fit us,” Freeze said. “His legs are good enough to run. I think his arm strength is really good, people maybe (do) not know that because you haven’t really seen it, unless you go watch his high school stuff, where he was Gatorade Player of the Year, and I think he can make every throw. 

“I think he needed a restart and for whatever reason, and that’s not a knock on anybody else. Those things just happen. But he fit with me in our visits and with the culture that we want here, I think he fits that. And then the skill set I think is really good and he’s throwing it at a high, high level right now to guys he believes in and trusts that they’re going to make plays on the ball for him. Hopefully that confidence just continues to grow.”

Last season, Arnold threw for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 62.6% completion percentage in 10 games. He has 1,984 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions in his career.

Arnold not only wants to improve personally and take the Tigers to new heights, he’s already a  mentor for five-star freshman Deuce Knight.

“It’s been great,” Knight said. “Jackson, he’s super smart. I feel like he’s another coach on the field for me. I call Jackson late at night. If we just looking over a script or something, ask him a question, he’ll have an answer for me.

“It’s like another coach on the field. Then, he’s just a cool guy, you know? Jackson plays around a lot, something similar like me.”

Arnold is the presumed winner of the QB competition, but it’ll be an intriguing one as the offseason rolls on.

“The competition is great,” Freeze said. “I don’t think there’s any replacement for that. Until you get that at every position, I think the natural instinct is for most people to remain status quo somewhat.

“You got someone breathing down your neck when they’re making plays when they get opportunities, it changes things. That’s what I think we’re seeing with Jackson and Deuce.”