Well, we know that the SEC moves at breakneck speed, and with that, Auburn’s quarterback battle is turning into a full-blown dogfight. Now, Hugh Freeze just dipped his toes into reshaping this offense. By recruiting five-star Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma and five-star freshman Deuce Knight, he has set the stage for SEC analysts to predict the future of the team. Arnold sees the writing on the wall at Oklahoma and bolts for Auburn ahead of his junior year. But if he expects perfect weather on the plains, he should check the forecast, as this QB1 fight is getting intense quickly.

Now, we all saw Jackson Arnold’s performance in 2024. He showed up at Auburn with big expectations. Even Hugh Freeze didn’t waste time calling him “a natural fit.” With 12 touchdowns, 1865 yards (passing and rushing), and a 62.6% completion rate, Arnold had a stellar run. Sure, those numbers reflect the quarterbacks’ potential for success. That’s more than enough to make him an obvious choice as a starter.

Even Auburn’s insider Zac Blackerby is in the same boat as the others as he is giving out flowers to Jackson Arnold. On the March 7 episode of Locked On SEC, Blackerby said, “I think if it’s close, it still goes to Jackson. So yeah, I mean, I’d be surprised if it was Deuce Knight, and I don’t know exactly how I’d feel about it. I would spin it, of course, be like, ‘Deuce Knight’s been incredible,’ but I think in the back of everybody’s mind would be, ‘Well, did Jackson not grasp the offense? Like, what happened there?’ So that’d be interesting if it wasn’t Jackson Arnold.” But it looks like even he is skeptical about it.

Can we blame him, though? When you have two exceptional guys fighting for a position, things tend to heat up. For instance, former Notre Dame commit Deuce Knight possesses the physical attributes and potential to be exciting. Is there a real quarterback competition? That’s exactly what analyst Lindsay Crosby sees coming. He says, “Obviously Jackson Arnold’s the favorite but there is a world where Deuce Knight just looks fantastic and gets into the conversation,” And Knight’s high school’s numbers confirm this. He torched defenses for 2,256 passing yards and 25 touchdowns in his final season while adding 484 yards and 12 more scores on the ground.

Let’s not overlook the fact that Jackson Arnold is no less of a player. And most of his inconsistencies were the result of not having a strong backing. This has caught the attention of analysts who are closely watching Arnold this spring. Chris Hummer from CBS Sports highlighted how Arnold faced challenges at Oklahoma due to poor offensive line performance and injuries among the receivers, leading to his inconsistent playing time and eventual departure.

These issues are not present at Auburn, setting the stage for Arnold to start fresh and make a significant impact. As Hugh Freeze recognized the opportunity, he not only recruited Arnold but also built a strong team around him. He bolstered the offensive line with experienced players and added Eric Singleton from Georgia Tech to the receiver group, complementing Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons. Freeze is not just entrusting Arnold with leading the offense; he is providing him with a talented roster to work with. However, the question remains: Will the reality match expectations, considering their history?

Hugh Freeze’s past might hamper Jackson Arnold’s future

Well, Jackson Arnold arrived in Oklahoma amid high expectations, but unfortunately, stability eluded him. Despite his experience, his time in Norman was far from secure. Struggling in his debut season as a starter, he was eventually replaced and ended the season with a national QBR ranking of 91st.

Oklahoma’s receiving corps suffered from numerous injuries, worsened by Brent Venables’ inconsistent quarterback play. Initially, the coaches gave Arnold the starting role; then, they brought in Michael Hawkins Jr. before reinstating Arnold. By then, the Sooners had already suffered consecutive losses to South Carolina and Ole Miss. Currently, Hugh Freeze is facing his own stability challenges at Auburn.

As he enters his third year, the quarterback situation remains a major concern. Opting to stick with Payton Thorne in 2024 backfired, leading to another losing season for the Tigers. In one memorable game against Georgia, Thorne’s fixation on the left side made it easy for the defense to sack him. Every quarterback operates on an internal clock — some thrive under pressure, while others struggle. Auburn is relying on Arnold to make the right decisions and break free from his old habits.

This time, Freeze cleaned the house. He revamped the quarterback position, adding Arnold — the former Oklahoma star — hoping he’ll solve Auburn’s quarterback woes. All eyes are now on Arnold and Auburn’s season hinges on his performance. His Oklahoma experience will differ; here, he’ll enjoy a stronger team and coaching support. Yet, talent has its limits — and he needs to show he can effectively run the offense.