Brent Venables breaks down challenges facing Jackson Arnold as starting quarterback

Oklahoma dropped the Alamo Bowl to Arizona despite piling up an impressive 562 yards of offense, haunted by mistakes made in key moments of the game.

Quarterback Jackson Arnold, in his much-anticipated starting debut, threw three interceptions. Suddenly Oklahoma has had to contend with managing expectations going into the offseason, with the hype surrounding Arnold now a bit more tempered.

“It’s always going to be extreme one way or the other,” coach Brent Venables said of reactions to the Alamo Bowl. “For me, I always preach to these guys all the time, man, being inside out, whether they’re really supporting you or they’re throwing stones at you. You get into this arena, that’s what you sign up for.”

One game certainly won’t ruin Arnold’s career. And many are waiting to see just what he can do with a little more time under center given how highly regarded he was coming out of high school.

Jackson Arnold was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 8 overall player in the nation.

“I know we’ve got the right guy, and we’ve got the right group there,” Venables said. “Broad shoulders, level headed, incredibly humble, tough on himself, demanding of himself. I don’t ever worry about him having success and going to his head, and I certainly don’t worry about if he’s fragile or a head case.”

Venables further expanded on his young quarterback.

“This is a strong dude that’s very process driven. He’s very committed. He’s relentless with his work ethic, and he’ll bring out the best in everybody. He’s a great leader and incredibly skilled.”

Now he’s just got to manage all the ups and downs. Because they will be coming. Jackson Arnold knows that first-hand now after throwing three interceptions in the Alamo Bowl loss.

Venables believes it’s nothing to sweat.

“Jackson and the quarterback at Oklahoma is no different than any other player,” Venables said. “You’re going to have some great moments. You’re offered a scholarship at Oklahoma, you must be pretty dang good. When you’re the quarterback at the University of Oklahoma, something you do sign up for, you’re the face in many ways of the program.”