Jackson Arnold's days as a Sooner are over.
There were multiple reports Wednesday that Arnold, who was Oklahoma's starting quarterback most of the season, is planning to enter the transfer portal once it officially opens on Monday. It was a shock, but also not unexpected from those who keep up with OU.
Arnold, though, never really met expectations at OU as a five-star signee from the 2023 class. He didn't earn any accoloades as a Sooners, but he did earn respect from most OU fans. He burnt his redshirt as a freshman with limited playing time in five games before starting in the Alamo Bowl.
As a sophomore, Arnold was still a team guy, no matter what you want to think now that he's transferring. He lost his starting job but still chose not to redshirt and eventually won the starting job again. He played behind an underperforming offensive line and was missing his five best receivers most of the season. When the offense had to find a way to function after a midseason coordinator firing, Arnold was willing to tuck the ball and run again and again while taking hit after hit.
So with what he did while at OU, albeit disappointing overall, most Sooner fans and those around the program paid respect to Arnold during the last 24 hours after learning about his plan to transfer.
I will always appreciate Jackson Arnold who stuck with OU during an awful season which featured an OC change AND burnt his red shirt to try and help the Sooners win..Wished it could have worked out in Norman but wish him well in the future
— Todd Miller (@PlayByPlayGuy1) December 4, 2024
#Sooners QB Jackson Arnold (@_JacksonArnold_) to the portal.
— Charlie (@CharlieS_TFB) December 4, 2024
While expected, still stings.
Young man left it all on the field for his coaches, teammates, and #OU fans. pic.twitter.com/58UZu1vLA5
Jackson Arnold remained with Oklahoma through the OC change and burned his redshirt to help the team win when he didn’t have to
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) December 4, 2024
Give him a lot credit for sticking it out - now he’ll get a chance to flourish somewhere new while OU finds someone new to go with Ben Arbuckle
But maybe OU fans took the news so well because they're used to it, and also scarred a bit by this process.
An even crazier stat: the last quarterback to sign with the #Sooners out of high school and FINISH his collegiate career at Oklahoma was… Blake Bell.
— Parker Thune (@ParkerThune) December 4, 2024
Blake Bell signed with OU in the class of 2010. https://t.co/0pI0vrd1FD
Caleb Williams. Spencer Rattler. Dillon Gabriel. Jackson Arnold. Don't buy a quarterback jersey as an Oklahoma fan now days ! Stick to the punter jersey instead! Much safer. 🙂
— Jim In Arlington USO Rep Stutsman Army (@jiminarlington) December 5, 2024
Oklahoma is gonna regret pushing Jackson Arnold out just like they did with Dillon Gabriel this season 🤷♂️
— Blake (@BBills96) December 4, 2024
Writing ‘Jackson Arnold, Oregon’ on a Heisman ballot in ‘26 is gonna be something
— Cayden McFarland (@caydenmc) December 4, 2024
And although overall disappointing, OU did at least get another Bama win out of Jackson Arnold.
Trevor Knight Jackson Arnold
— TRIBAL THRASHER (@TribeAlive) December 4, 2024
🤝
Bama legacy game