Jackson Arnold will stay in SEC for next transfer destination

Jackson Arnold actually will play in Norman next year.

Hayes Fawcett of On3 reported Saturday morning that Arnold, who was Oklahoma's starting quarterback most of this season, will transfer to Auburn. The Tigers will visit Norman next season on Sept. 20 for the Sooners' SEC opener.

Jackson, a sophomore, started nine games for the Sooners after the starting the year as QB1, getting benched for freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., then winning the job back.

In his first season as a starter, Jackson completed 62.6% of his passes for 1,421 yards and 12 TDs compared to three interceptions. He most effective with his legs, though, rushing for 444 yards and three TDs. He did have a consistent fumbling issue, though.

Overall, the short-lived Jackson Arnold era was a disappointment at OU compared to expectations. Arnold was benched during a 6-6 season while leading an offense that was one of the worst in the country.

Arnold signed with the Sooners as a five-star recruit in the 2023 class. There were such high expectations for Arnold that Brent Venables & Co. were content with two-year starter Dillon Gabriel walking and handing the keys of the offense to Arnold as a sophomore. Now, as Arnold is headed elsewhere, Gabriel is a Heisman Trophy finalist for the undefeated and top-seeded Oregon Ducks.

Now, Arnold will play under Hugh Freeze and for an Auburn team that went 5-7 this season while shuffling quarterbacks early on. The Sooners beat Auburn 27-21 on the road for their first-ever SEC win. Hawkins started that game for OU, though, and Arnold never saw the field.

Read more about Arnold's departure:

Oklahoma squandered having Jackson Arnold

What Jackson Arnold's exit means for Oklahoma

Oklahoma has been transferring quarterbacks since before it was even cool

Oklahoma has two directions to go at quarterback for the future