When Hugh Freeze and the Auburn football program landed former Oklahoma quarterback through the transfer portal, the move came with both excitement and uncertainty.
Top prospect, once a five-star high school recruit, was coming off a rocky season with the Sooners. He threw for fewer than 2,000 yards and was even benched temporarily during the year.
Despite that, Freeze and his coaching staff saw potential in his skill set and how he fits within their system, making him Auburn’s top quarterback addition of the offseason. While there’s some risk involved, Freeze told reporters at the SEC spring meetings that what he may need most is a confidence boost.
“He’s got the arm, the mobility, the football IQ, and he’s highly competitive. He probably just needed some confidence,” Freeze said. “I think our receiver group helps with that.”
Freeze noted that Arnold’s high school film showed no real weaknesses, and with renewed confidence, that same version of Arnold could emerge in the college game.
According to Freeze, Arnold already began showing signs of growth during spring practices, where he had the chance to work with Auburn’s impressive group of receivers.
At Oklahoma, Arnold’s inconsistency may have been influenced by a receiving corps hit hard by injuries, making it tough for him to find a rhythm or develop chemistry with a stable group.
Though no team is immune to injuries, Auburn appears better positioned to support Arnold this season. The Tigers boast a strong receiver unit led by breakout freshmen Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons, along with Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr., the top-ranked wideout in the portal.