The Auburn Tigers made a significant move this offseason by turning to the transfer portal to strengthen their roster, adding 16 players from various programs. Among the notable additions are linebacker Xavier Atkins from LSU, receiver Eric Singleton Jr. from Georgia Tech, offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin from Virginia Tech, and quarterback Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma. On Tuesday’s edition of the College GameDay Podcast, Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discussed the impact of these transfers, particularly focusing on Arnold’s transfer to Auburn, which they considered to be an intriguing and important move for the Tigers.
Arnold’s transfer was highlighted by Davis as “pretty compelling,” especially given the context of Auburn’s program under new head coach Hugh Freeze. With Payton Thorne leaving for the 2025 NFL Draft, Arnold’s arrival is expected to make him the starting quarterback for Auburn. Davis pointed out that Arnold’s transfer could have a significant effect on Auburn’s future and likened the situation to Oklahoma’s crossroads under head coach Brent Venables. “I think the guy that left Oklahoma is pretty compelling because I would say maybe not to the extent that Venables and Oklahoma are at a crossroads, but one might say the same for Hugh Freeze and Auburn with Jackson Arnold going there,” Davis explained.
Arnold, who was a five-star prospect and the No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, began his college career at Oklahoma. As a freshman, Arnold spent most of the season as the backup to Dillon Gabriel. His first collegiate start came in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona in 2023, where he threw for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also had issues with ball security, fumbling twice, one of which was lost.
In the 2023 season, Arnold briefly became Oklahoma’s starting quarterback before being benched for Michael Hawkins during the Tennessee game. Hawkins took over as the starter for the next two games against Auburn and No. 1 Texas. However, Arnold regained his starting role and finished the regular season as the team’s QB1. Despite this, Arnold announced his plans to enter the transfer portal prior to Oklahoma’s bowl game against the Navy. Over the course of the 2023-24 season, Arnold threw for 1,984 yards, 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
With Arnold’s transfer to Auburn, the Tigers are hoping he can provide a fresh start for the program and lead them into a new era under Coach Freeze. His first game with Auburn is set for August 30 against Baylor, and much of the attention will be on how well he performs and whether he can solidify himself as a top quarterback in the SEC.
This transfer represents a significant opportunity for both Arnold and Auburn. The Tigers have been in need of a stable quarterback since Thorne’s departure, and Arnold’s potential could be a key factor in Auburn’s quest for success in the upcoming season. The combination of talented transfers like Arnold, Atkins, Singleton, and Chaplin could help solidify Auburn’s roster, making them a much more competitive team in the SEC.
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