Jackson Arnold, the soon-to-be former Oklahoma quarterback, is one of the most sought-after names in the transfer portal due to his untapped potential. Despite limited opportunities at Oklahoma, Arnold completed over 62% of his passes for 1,421 yards, with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2024. His biggest highlight was leading the Sooners to a victory over Alabama in a 24-3 upset on senior night.
As Arnold looks for his next landing spot, several options stand out:
1. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs are aiming to rebound from a poor 2-10 season, and quarterback is a key position they need to address. MSU has already lost a young quarterback to the transfer portal, creating a need for depth and a potential starter. Arnold could be a significant upgrade over what they currently have and would bring experience and competition to the position.
2. Arkansas: The Razorbacks could give Arnold a chance to fully develop as a high-potential quarterback. While they have Taylen Green as an incumbent, Green’s inconsistent passing and dual-threat skills could benefit from Arnold’s more traditional quarterback skills and experience. Arnold could also push Green to improve as a passer, making the Razorbacks even more competitive.
3. Auburn: The Tigers need more depth and reliability at quarterback, especially after losing Payton Thorne and Hank Brown to the transfer portal. True freshman Walker White is their only current signal-caller, so adding a veteran like Arnold with high-level competition experience could be a game-changer for Auburn, especially given their past struggles with quarterbacks like Bo Nix.
These three programs offer Arnold opportunities to compete for a starting role and develop his game further, with Mississippi State providing an immediate need, Arkansas offering a chance to become the go-to starter, and Auburn looking to bolster their quarterback depth.