Jackson Arnold’s first start was far from what many Oklahoma fans and recruiting pundits had in mind. For the former five-star quarterback out of Denton, Texas, his first-ever collegiate start was a roller coaster ride that ultimately ended in defeat. In Oklahoma’s 38-24 loss to Arizona, Arnold threw three interceptions and had a lost fumble.
Since that game, Oklahoma has undergone a myriad of changes. They’ve added players from the portal and Arnold’s had an entire spring to work with new play-caller Seth Littrell. Arnold had his first spring game start.
At SEC Media Days, Jackon Arnold stepped up and reflected on his first collegiate start and what went wrong. He also gave the press an insight into what he’s worked on the most as the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners as he gets ready for his first full season.
“For Arizona, they did a great job mixing up looks and attacking certain concepts that we run while jumping routes,” Arnold said. “But for us, for me, the turnovers were unacceptable. You can’t have that. Especially coming to the SEC. That’s something I had to learn after watching the game, studying the film, and seeing what I did wrong, whether it was timing or a poor decision. You learn from it; you move on from it.”
It’s completely reasonable for anyone to be frustrated with Arnold’s performance. However, it was the young signal caller’s first start at the collegiate level. Arnold reflected on becoming a better player and leader in the offseason, hoping to flush that memory away ahead of his first full season as a starter.
“After that Arizona game, I had to mature and grow up a lot,” Arnold shared with a full media room. “Stepping into that QB1 role, I had to be a real leader for us, for our team, and just stepping into that role, I know I need to mature as a person, as a player too. And the person I am now and the player I am now has improved drastically from where I was in that bowl game.”
Arnold’s coaches and teammates have recognized his accountability for his play against Arizona and his growth. Danny Stutsman, one of Oklahoma’s defensive stars and leaders, discussed it during his media availability. Stutsman said, “Only playing one game last year and having all these expectations thrown onto him, he’s done an amazing job filling that role and doing whatever it takes. I think Jackson is starting to understand that and trying to do everything he can to be turned into that leader.”
Oklahoma’s former starting quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, had a wealth of experience before he took a snap with the Sooners. His journey as the starting QB at OU differs from Arnold’s. However, Arnold signed with Oklahoma, knowing they would be joining the SEC and that he would have the opportunity to be the quarterback to lead them into this new era of Oklahoma football under Brent Venables.
He’s had an entire offseason to acclimate and prepare for what’s to come. All that’s left is for him to prove it come August 30th against the Temple Owls.
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