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Oklahoma Football: 2023 Spring Game preview – Five things to watch

By Brandon Self

NORMAN, OK - APRIL 23: Head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners stands with his team for the alma mater during their spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - APRIL 23: Head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners stands with his team for the alma mater during their spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Quarterback Jackson Arnold goes through drills as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football team holds spring practice outside of Gaylord Family/Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on March 21, 2023 in Norman, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]oufoot — cover
Quarterback Jackson Arnold goes through drills as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football team holds spring practice outside of Gaylord Family/Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on March 21, 2023 in Norman, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]oufoot — cover /

Jackson Arnold

Freshman 5-star quarterback Jackson Arnold has had a great spring. He comes into his collegiate career with a lot of high expectations and an enormous amount of potential. After finishing his high school career ranked as the number 2 overall quarterback in the nation and the top Sooner recruit, Arnold is expected to show an elite arm immediately.

Sooner Nation is spoiled regarding quarterbacks, and it doesn’t apologize for it. All eyes will be fixed on Arnold’s every snap. The fanbase wants to see a 5-star quarterback live up to the hype, and the Sooner coaching staff wants a capable backup.

Dillon Gabriel is the guy; there shouldn’t be any doubt about that. Gabriel returns in his second Sooner season as the leading quarterback, from a production and efficiency standpoint, in the Big 12 conference. However, Gabriel was hurt twice last season, and both games resulted in abysmal quarterback play and crushing Sooner defeats (combined 7.9 QBR between TCU and Texas). If the Sooners want to end their Big 12 existence with a conference championship, they must have depth at the quarterback position.

I’m not looking for Jackson Arnold to take the field in the Spring game and spark a quarterback controversy; I want to ensure he’s progressing well and fitting into a solid backup role for the 2023 season. We need to let this young man grow into the program and, more importantly, not rush into a hurried progression. He has tons of time and can play after he is ready, even if he is a 5-star phenom. I will have my eyes on Jackson Arnold come the 22nd. I won’t be alone.

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