In Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma Landed a ‘Foundational’ Quarterback

NORMAN — There was no shock. No drama. No hat video games. In truth, that could be what the Oklahoma teaching employees appreciated most about signing quarterback Jackson Arnold on Wednesday.

OU coach Brent Venables even went as far as to name Arnold “a foundational participant” at the start of his Nationwide Signing Day press convention.

Arnold was one in every of 24 new Sooners – a minimum of by early afternoon – who signed to play in 2023. The breakdown contains 14 defensive gamers and 10 offensive gamers. 5 hail from Florida, 4 from Texas, two from Oklahoma – 14 states in all. There are six defensive backs, 5 defensive linemen, three linebackers, 4 offensive linemen, two large receivers, two working backs, a decent finish and, in fact, a quarterback.

“And once more extra to return,” Venables mentioned. “We have got size and pace on each side of the ball at talent.”

Arnold is the crown jewel, a 5-star QB and the seventh-highest-rated participant within the final 20 years at OU.

“What I really like about Jackson Arnold,” Venables mentioned, “he’s one of many first younger males that I visited with in my workplace a yr in the past final January – me and his household – had an incredible dialog with him. He was extremely anxious. I puzzled, ‘Does he acquired to make use of the restroom?’ I imply, he was simply antsy. He was simply nervous.

“That is the second for him. He had taken a number of journeys, together with to Oklahoma previous to that definitely (with) a unique employees, however across the nation. However he was at a extremely good place.”

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby mentioned numerous issues leap off the video when evaluating the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Arnold.

“I believe the very very first thing was how easy he can spin the soccer,” Lebby mentioned. “Comes off his hand extremely clean. His athletic means, it actually acquired showcased for him within the playoffs this yr, however he can achieve this a lot. That’s the largest factor. We’re going to place him in positions of success, however I don’t assume there’s something he can’t be actually, actually good at. Bought this unbelievable talent set. Management clearly is firstclass. Once more, couldn’t be extra enthusiastic about him.”

Lebby mentioned Arnold’s toughness additionally “jumps off the tape,” however acknowledged he might have to speak to Arnold about his willingness to throw his physique round in doubtlessly harmful conditions. What labored for working quarterbacks in highschool doesn’t all the time translate to main faculty soccer.

“We all the time discuss having the ability to see a man’s aggressive spirit on tape,” Lebby mentioned. “To me, you don’t need to get round Jackson to know he loves soccer. You may placed on 10 performs and know actual shortly this man is ultra-competitive and loves ball. That’s what you need. It jumps off the tape. His toughness, his ardour, his vitality, his management. All of it you may see watching the tape, which is strictly what we would like.”

And as with many quarterbacks, there are issues about Arnold you could’t determine simply by watching video and even seeing him play reside.

“He walks right into a room and might personal a room,” Lebby mentioned. “I believe he makes everyone round him higher on a regular basis. He’s going to be a man who’s (the) first one in and final one to depart. These are issues which might be going to be a direct influence for us. I can’t be extra excited, extra proud to educate him. He’s been superior from a recruiting standpoint.”

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