Brent Venables explains value of Jackson Arnold having experience from bowl start

Jackson Arnold is the heir apparent at quarterback for Oklahoma, in line to take the reins as the starter in 2024. But the sophomore is entering a starting role with a completely clean slate of experience.

Arnold started the 2023 Alamo Bowl for the Sooners, a 38-24 loss for Oklahoma. And having that whole experience will pay dividends going forward, according to Sooners head coach Brent Venables.

“Well, starting the game and having some success in the game and certainly some adversity in the game is no doubt going to pay off for him,” Venables said with On3’s Andy Staples. “And the No. 1 reason why is Jackson’s got all the right stuff. How to handle adversity, how to handle success, what the process looks like. Staying focused on the things that he can control. He’s got great self awareness. He’s got great toughness. He’s an incredible competitor. He — no matter what happens, Jackson’s got a unique quality where he just doesn’t flinch. But he takes great ownership. He’s very accountable to himself and his play. But he’s hard on himself and demanding of himself but he’s not going to crush his own spirit.”

Arnold was by no means perfect in the Alamo Bowl, and as Venables alluded, can use the good and the bad to learn. Arnold went 26-for-45 for 361 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions in that game.

The turnovers and miscues obviously need ironing out, but the flashes of a high-level playmaking quarterback were there. And Venables made sure to give some credit for Arnold’s freshman year development to former Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is now at Oregon.

“I feel great about where he’s at and being able to learn from Dillon last year,” Venables said, “he’ll be the first one to say how valuable that was for his freshman year. Again, Dillon being one of the most successful collegiate quarterbacks in the history of college football, not just last season. And Dillon was a great leader, did a great job pouring into Jackson and it was well received by Jackson. It’s all been a matter of going into this season and you feel great about that.”

The biggest concern for Venables about Arnold has less to do with the quarterback and more to do with Oklahoma replacing the majority of starters on offense.

But even in that regard, Venables has confidence.

“To have three or four, however you look at it, returning starters is it but he does have, with the portal, several new guys that have played, maybe didn’t start but played,” Venables said. “He has a great group around him coming back that can help him be successful. And that’s going to be — if he’s going to be successful it’s going to be because of everybody around him.”