Oklahoma can expect upgraded play from the quarterback position next season, according to transfer portal analyst Clint Brewster. Starter Dillion Gabriel is expected to enter the transfer portal, opening the door for prized 2023 recruit Jackson Arnold to take over under center, and the transition should be seamless, according to Brewster.
“It should be an easy transition for Arnold and Oklahoma moving on from Dillon Gabriel,” Brewster said. “New offensive coordinator Seth Littrell does some of the same stuff schematically that Jeff Lebby does, and Arnold fits it extremely well with his arm quickness and mobility. I have much respect for what Dillon Gabriel did in his couple of years at Oklahoma, but Arnold should be an upgrade with his accuracy and not miss the easy short to intermediate throws like Gabriel did at times.”
Gabriel was integral in getting Oklahoma back on its feet after a 6-7 finish in Brent Venables’ inaugural season in 2022. The Sooners went 10-2 during the regular season as Gabriel played the best ball of his decorated career, throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns against six interceptions. However, Arnold, a five-star prospect out of Denton (Texas) Guyer, ranked No. 10 overall and No. 1 in the Lone Star State, is seen as the future of the Oklahoma program.
Arnold saw limited action in six games as a true freshman and completed 18-of-24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He carried the ball 20 times for 78 yards and another score. He’s expected to start against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28, with Gabriel opting out.
Arnold got his most extended run of the season against BYU on Nov. 18. He entered the game in the second half after Gabriel went down with an upper-body injury and led the Sooners from a 17-17 tie to a 31-24 victory. He completed 5-of-9 passes for 33 yards and rushed eight times for 24 yards, but few plays overall were bigger than Oklahoma putting the ball in his hands on a late 3rd & 8. He completed an 8-yard pass to Jalil Farooq for a first down, allowing Oklahoma to run out the clock.
“Jackson is not nervous nor anxious,” Venables said after the game. “Backup quarterback and true freshman, sometimes they’re young and immature — Jackson’s not. He’s a winner. He’s got tremendous courage and a belief in himself and belief in the guys around him and trust in the system. It would have been easy to not be prepared for this moment late in the season: ‘I haven’t played yet, they’re going to redshirt me.’ But that’s not how he operates.”
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Arnold threw for 3,476 yards and 33 touchdowns with just two interceptions as a high school senior while also adding 921 rushing yards and 24 more touchdowns on the ground. He was The 2022 Elite 11 MVP.
