Jackson Arnold talks about his relationship with Dillon Gabriel

Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold‘s first spring season with the Sooners has wrapped up in good fashion. After the Red-White Game last week, Arnold talked with the media about his relationship with incumbent starter Dillon Gabriel.

“We’ve gotten closer and that goes for all the quarterbacks in the room too,” Arnold said. “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.

“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.”

Gabriel himself has also been impressed with how Arnold has adjusted to life at the college level.

As an early enrollee, Arnold has made quick strides considering he was playing high school football in Texas a short while ago.

“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,” Gabriel said. “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 was a top recruit in the 2023 class

Jackson Arnold was one of the nation’s top players coming out of the 2023 recruiting class.

He was ranked as the No. 8 player and No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry. 

On3 had him as the No. 6 players and No. 3 quarterback in the cycle.

“The Denton (Texas) Guyer product could be in line to start as a freshman in Norman,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said. “Arnold is the most battle-tested top quarterback in the 2023 cycle. He’s been productive against top competition in the state of Texas both as a passer and rusher. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has a live arm, quick release and the ability to pick up yards with his legs on designed runs. To make the transition even smoother, Arnold runs a variation of Oklahoma’s offense at Denton Guyer. He should have little adjustment – if any – from a X’s and O’s perspective. With Oklahoma looking for a shot in the arm offensively, we’re betting on Arnold playing sooner than later.”