Jackson Arnold didn’t get a warm welcome back in Norman. The Auburn quarterback, who transferred from Oklahoma after a tough sophomore season, was met with a sea of boos and chants of “Jackson Arnold sucks” as he stepped onto the field at the Palace on the Prairie.
Once a five-star recruit and the Sooners’ starting quarterback, Arnold struggled in 2024, going 5-4 and throwing under 200 yards in some games. After finishing the season underwhelmingly, he decided a fresh start at Auburn was the best move, and it seems to be paying off under coach Hugh Freeze.
How Did Jackson Arnold’s Girlfriend, Skyler Marshal, Show Support?
But while Oklahoma fans made their feelings known, at least one fan cheered for Arnold without hesitation: his girlfriend, Skyler Marshall.
The Oklahoma-bound student and current OU Chi-O is sticking by Arnold, rocking Auburn orange in the stands. She posted a photo of the game on Instagram with the caption, “This is my Super Bowl.”
Marshall’s support basically tells the story. She has always believed in him and wants him to win more than anything.
Look Into Why Arnold Transferred to Auburn
Arnold’s decision to leave Oklahoma wasn’t made lightly. His 2024 season was marked by a mid-season offensive coordinator change, injuries to key offensive linemen and receivers, and poor offensive performance.
Arnold was benched for the first time in his career, highlighting the need for a new beginning. The timing aligned with Oklahoma hiring a new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, and the expected transfer of quarterback John Mateer, making it a move that benefited both Arnold and the program.
Since joining Auburn, Arnold has shown noticeable improvement. Expectations are high, with the Tigers needing him to lead the offense to SEC contention after a strong 3-0 start.
In three games, Arnold has thrown for 501 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, showing increased comfort in the pocket, a key reason for Auburn’s early success.
While questions remain about his consistency against tougher SEC competition, Arnold’s performance so far has made it clear that his success is critical for Auburn to compete at a high level this season. A strong campaign could solidify his status as a professional-level talent.
It all starts with support from someone close. In Arnold’s case, that was Marshall.
Even though she’s a Sooners student, her loyalty is evident: she’s all in for Arnold. And as thousands of fans booed him on his return, one fan in the crowd couldn’t care less about rivalries, she just wants her boyfriend to succeed. College football rivalries are fierce, but sometimes love makes the choice easy.
