How is Jackson Arnold settling in as OU football’s starting QB? ‘He’s definitely a leader’

NORMAN — Dillon Gabriel’s message to Jackson Arnold was simple.

“He just told me to have fun and ball out,” Arnold said Tuesday. “I hope we see him down the line next year.”

With Gabriel having entered the transfer portal and committed to Oregon, Arnold is OU’s clear starting quarterback as the Sooners prepare for the Dec. 28 Alamo Bowl against Arizona, something Arnold said he’s “super pumped” about but still settling into his new role.

“I’m super excited,” Arnold said after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s obviously a great opportunity for me. You know, being a freshman and getting some real experience before experiencing the SEC next year, I’m super pumped up for this opportunity.”

Gabriel had a fantastic season for the Sooners, throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also ran for 373 yards and 12 scores.

Arnold appeared in six games, completing 18 of 24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

More: OU football freshman OL Cayden Green enters NCAA transfer portal

New OU starting quarterback Jackson Arnold (10) says the lessons from Dillon Gabriel, who is transferring to Oregon, will help him as he takes over as Sooners’ QB1.

Jackson Arnold shined in relief of Dillon Gabriel

The freshman’s most significant action came Nov. 18 at BYU when Gabriel was injured late in the first half.

Arnold threw for just 33 yards on 5-of-9 passing but engineered a fourth-quarter touchdown drive, then completed a critical third-down pass to Jalil Farooq late to put the game away.

“I don’t know now,” Arnold said when asked how much the BYU experience helped prepare him moving forward. “But I’m sure when I get in the bowl game, I’ll be grateful for my experience at BYU, to get put in at crunch time in probably not the ideal situation. I think it will be huge for me…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jackson-arnold-settling-ou-footballs-224359524.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2023-12-12 22:43:59

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