Jackson Arnold was chosen as Auburn’s starting quarterback at the start of the 2025 season instead of five-star freshman Deuce Knight. However, Arnold failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and his difficulties persisted even after the program opened the season 3-0. The Tigers climbed to No. 22 in the AP Poll Rankings in Week 4 before collapsing and dropping seven of its final nine games.
With the season over, Arnold is expected to enter the transfer portal and is searching for a new landing spot.
Analyst Predicts Jackson Arnold’s Next Stop After Entering Transfer Portal
Former Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze brought Arnold in through the transfer portal to run the Tigers’ offense. However, the quarterback’s tenure on the Plains lasted only one season. On Tuesday’s episode of his podcast, Fox Sports’ Aaron Torres pointed to one standout landing spot for Arnold.
“The obvious one is Mississippi State,” Torres said (8:37). “He almost committed to Mississippi State last year. Again, Jeff Lebby was the guy who recruited him out of high school. They are losing Blake Shapen. I think the big question becomes two things.”
“One, they have the freshman there, Kamario Taylor, who was actually pretty good. But then two is Jeff Lebby, just like, ‘You know, we got to a bowl game at 5-7 because everybody else opted out. I’m not putting my career on the line for Jackson Arnold, who so far to this point in his career as a coach killer.’ So, we’ll see what happens.”
Torres’ point reflects a broader reality, as no school replacing its starting quarterback seems eager to hand its offense to Arnold. After disappointing tenures at both Oklahoma and Auburn, he profiles more like a risky bet.
Arnold threw for 1,309 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for 311 yards and eight scores this season. Freeze brought him in from Oklahoma last offseason, hoping he would elevate Auburn’s offense. Instead, Freeze was fired after the Tigers slipped to 4-5.
In an interview with AuburnSports’ Justin Hokanson this week, Freeze said his gamble on Arnold played a major role in his firing. “Certainly, it didn’t work out to the level that he and I both expected for him and our team. And that’s why I’m sitting here.”
Back in Oklahoma in 2024, Arnold opened the season as the starter before sharing snaps with freshman Michael Hawkins. He finished that season with more than 1,850 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns.
However, Arnold was once a five-star recruit and still possesses the talent and athleticism that could appeal to programs, especially with eligibility remaining. Besides Mississippi State, PFSN’s Joe Broback lists West Virginia, UNLV, Oklahoma State, and Old Dominion as potential destinations for Arnold when the portal reopens in January.
