Jackson Arnold enters transfer portal: How it affects OU football’s depth chart

Posted by author December 4, 2024 Football

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OU quarterback Jackson Arnold plans to enter the transfer portal, his father, Todd, confirmed to The Oklahoman on Wednesday.

NORMAN — The Jackson Arnold era is over at Oklahoma.

The Sooners‘ starting quarterback plans to enter the transfer portal, his father, Todd, told The Oklahoman on Wednesday. ESPN’s Max Olson first reported Arnold’s plans to transfer.

Arnold made nine regular-season starts in his Sooners career. He finished the 2024 season with 1,421 passing yards, 444 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns with three interceptions. Arnold was benched for Michael Hawkins Jr. in OU’s game against Tennessee after committing three turnovers in the first half.

Following his benching, Arnold improved his decision-making down the stretch after he was renamed the starter. He showcased his ability to run the ball, combining for 206 rushing yards in the Sooners’ final two games.

This season was tough on Arnold, a former five-star recruit out of Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, who was given the keys to the Sooners’ offense. Arnold originally committed to Jeff Lebby, who left to become Mississippi State’s head coach, and then grew close to Seth Littrell, who was fired midseason.

Arnold said following OU’s loss to LSU he was planning to take this week to think about his future.

“Only God knows what’s going to happen in the future,” Arnold said. “This next week, just meet the OC, see who we hire. Take it day by day. There’s nothing making me want to leave or nothing making me waver from being here.”

The Sooners still have Hawkins and Brendan Zurbrugg on their roster and signed three-star 2025 quarterback Jett Niu on Wednesday.

OU is now in the market for a quarterback. Many assume new Sooners offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle will bring Cougars quarterback John Mateer with him.

Mateer has yet to announce his intention to enter the portal or not as of Wednesday afternoon. The Little Elm, Texas, native started all 12 games for the Cougars this season and threw for 3,139 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Arnold is the second Sooner to express plans to enter the portal after it was reported Sunday wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway plans to depart the program.

The transfer portal opens on Dec. 9 and OU could have a plethora of entries.