Oklahoma's starting quarterback is reportedly headed to the transfer portal.
Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Wednesday that Jackson Arnold is planning to enter the transfer portal once it officially opens on Monday.Arnold is the second Sooner so far to reportedly plan to transfer after receiver Jaquaize Pettaway.
Arnold is a former consensus five-star recruit out of the 2023 class, with ESPN ranking him as the top quarterback in the class. He appeared in five games as a freshman for the Sooners last year, including his first career start in the Alamo Bowl.
As a sophomore, Arnold went into this season as the Sooners' presumed QB1 with Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon. He started the first four games as OU's offense struggled and was benched for freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Arnold then won the job back by Week 9 and controlled the offense the rest of the way.
Arnold threw for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns compared to only three interceptions this season. He was most dangerous as a runner, though, rushing for 444 yards and three scores.
A lot has changed since Arnold signed with OU two years ago, though. He was recruited by Jeff Lebby, who is now the head coach at Mississippi State. Seth Littrell replaced Lebby, only to be fired midway through his first season as playcaller. Co-offensive coordintor Joe Jon Finley was then given play-calling duties to finish this season.
Brent Venables on Monday hired Washington State's Ben Arbuckle as OU's new offensive coordinator. Had Arnold stayed put, Arbuckle would have been the fourth offensive coordinator he played under. He'll still obviously play for a new OC, but at least with different scenery.
Arnold's move to the portal might solidify rumors, though, of Arbuckle bringing a quarterback with him. Washington State quarterback John Mateer, also a sophomore, threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions this season. He was top 12 in the country in both passing yards and touchdowns.
Mateer was already expected to transfer even before Arnold's move.
Arnold's departure also clears out a crowded quarterback position some, giving the Sooners room (and NIL money) to add another experienced signal caller from the portal if they want, whether that's Mateer or not. That also makes it more likely that Hawkins stays, still being able to redshirt a season and with his younger brother on the way as part of OU's 2025 signing class.
Regardless, OU will have a new starting quarterback and new offensive coordintor. That's probably needed, though, considering the Sooners had one of the worst offenses in the country during this 6-6 season.
As for the immediate future, the Sooners still have an unknown bowl game to play. If Hawkins does indeed stay, which seems likely, he will get his fourth career start and have OU starting a freshman quarterback in their last two bowls.
If Hawkins moves on, too, then it could be senior transfer Casey Thompson getting the start in his final game. Other options include freshmen Steele Wasel and Brendan Zurbrugg.
Venables said after OU's regular-season finale against LSU that change would be coming, and in less than a week since there's been nothing but change, especially for the ones in command of the Sooners' offense.