Jackson Arnold enters game vs. Arkansas State, leads long touchdown drive

Oklahoma fans got their first look at Jackson Arnold in the third quarter of Saturday’s season opener against Arkansas State. The highly touted freshman is seen as the quarterback of the future in Norman, and he looked good early on.

It didn’t take him long to lead his first touchdown drive, either.

Arnold went a perfect 4-for-4 passing for 40 yards while setting up Tawee Walker’s one-yard touchdown run to make it a 52-0 Sooners lead to start the third quarter. He received quite the ovation as he took the field shortly after Brent Venables told ESPN’s Taylor McGregor fans would see Arnold “soon.”

Jackson Arnold takes the field for the first time as a Sooner. pic.twitter.com/pde4EcjIwk

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) September 2, 2023

Arnold was the crown jewel of Oklahoma’s highly rated recruiting class this year. A Five Star Plus+ recruit, he was the No. 8-ranked player in the nation and the No. 4-ranked quarterback from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Oklahoma took a commanding lead in the first half against Arkansas State as Dillon Gabriel and the offense were flying to start the year. He completed 19 of 22 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns before halftime, opening the door for Arnold to make his collegiate debut. Walker also had a touchdown in the first half, as did Marcus Major, showing the Sooners offense was firing on all cylinders as the 2023 season officially got underway.

Arnold then followed that up with his first career touchdown pass on the next drive.

Brent Venables: Dillon Gabriel has been ‘a great mentor’ to Jackson Arnold

Having a freshman of Arnold’s caliber makes it easier for Venables and Jeff Lebby to plan the offense this season. Those are two solid quarterbacks to have in the room. At Big 12 Media Days, Venables said Gabriel can help mentor Arnold after he had an impressive spring that translated into a good showing in training camp.

“One, with having Dillon with another year of experience. And then again, all the quarterbacks but in particular Jackson Arnold, had a fantastic spring,” Venables told reporters in Dallas. “What I love about Jackson, he comes to work, he’s competitive as all get out. He’s not going to take a back seat to anybody.

“But he’s got great humility. Understanding that a wise man can learn from others. And so Dillon’s been a great mentor to Jackson and he’s got great, great work ethic and got a great future in front of him as well.”