Jackson Arnold on spring game nerves: ‘Felt like this is where I need to be’

Jackson Arnold is widely regarded as the future of the quarterback position at Oklahoma. He showed off that potential during Oklahoma’s spring game.

For Arnold, that spring game was fun, even if it was also a surreal experience at times for the young signal caller.

“Very surreal,” Jackson Arnold said. “Being in high school four months ago and playing in my first college game now is really surreal. Everything I expected and more. Just had a lot of fun. I honestly had more fun than I thought I would because I was less stressed today. Less nervous than I thought I’d be and just went out and executed and had fun today.”

Jackson Arnold admitted he didn’t entirely know why he wasn’t nervous. However, he did feel like he was in the right place.

“I don’t know. I felt really comfortable today, though, for some reason. I’m normally nervous, maybe because it wasn’t a game, essentially because it was a spring game. But I felt comfortable out there. Felt this is where I need to be.”

Following the spring game, Oklahoma’s starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel praised Jackson Arnold, saying that he has unlimited potential.

“I think every freshman in general, but Jackson of course, just learning the lay of the land and you know, what to expect in practice, what to expect day-to-day, week-to-week, whatever it is, scrimmage,” explained Gabriel. “I think he’s just — obviously every freshman has a better grasp on what college is all about, so yeah. The progression, everything, the improvement for him, the sky’s the limit.”

Jackson Arnold on his relationship with Dillon Gabriel

After the spring game, Jackson Arnold spoke about his relationship with starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

“We’ve gotten closer and that goes for all the quarterbacks in the room too. Our quarterback room is extremely close. I’ve never seen anything like it. With a room like that, you can ask anybody questions for anything. Honestly, if I have a question about a certain play or what somebody should be doing, I can ask any one of them and get feedback from them,” Arnold said.

“Even after my own drives, what did I do wrong? Teach me. Help me get better. We’re all there for each other and I love that about our quarterback room.”