On3 Roundtable: Evaluating Jackson Arnold's impact in Oklahoma's offense
Oklahoma saw just about everything that they could have hoped for in their 73-0 season-opening win over Arkansas State. That included their future as freshman QB Jackson Arnold came in behind Dillon Gabriel and lit up the field with his play as well.
On Friday, George Stoia III at Sooner Scoop joined Andy Staples during an episode of the On3 Roundtable and discussed Arnold’s performance. He said it was a noteworthy development to see him come in and play well as he already looks like a difference-making quarterback in Norman.
“I think it means a lot. Jackson came in and he was 11-for-11 and threw for over 100 yards. Got a touchdown throwing and also running,” said Stoia. “He’s a guy that you can see the talent is there, right? I mean he’s somebody that the ball just comes differently out of his hand. It’s cliche to say but it’s true. You see the way he throws it. The deep ball to Jayden Gibson for the touchdown was a thing of beauty.”
Arnold went perfect in his collegiate debut as he was 11-11 on the afternoon for 114 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed five times in his reserve role for 39 yards and another score.
To Stoia, it was an outing that proved that Arnold is going to be nipping at Gabriel’s heels as QB1. He also thinks it will allow Oklahoma to open up their playbook as they don’t have to worry as much as they did a season ago about their QB2.
“He’s a guy that I think has put the pressure a little bit on Dillon. But I think it’s also opened things up on the offense. You think back to last year? They didn’t have anybody behind Dillon Gabriel,” said Stoia. “We saw that in the Texas game. They were really cautious at times. They did a lot of different protections, they wouldn’t run Dillon Gabriel.
“I think you’re going to see them open up some of that playbook this year knowing that, if Dillon were to go down with a concussion or an injury or whatever it is, they feel really confident that they have somebody behind him in Jackson Arnold,” Stoia said.
Arnold, the former five-star, Top-10 prospect, and No. 4 QB in 2023, is going to get the quarterback reps all to himself at some point at Oklahoma. For now, though, Stoia sees him as a high-ceiling backup option that can give the Sooners the freedom to do what they need to with their current starter in Gabriel.
“It puts the pressure on Dillon, a little bit, to perform really well, which he did,” said Stoia. “I think it also just opens up that offense and what Jeff Lebby is trying to do.”