If you are an Auburn fan, the last couple of seasons must have been tough. Despite the advent of the Hugh Freeze era, very little has changed. A 6-7 2023 season and a record of 5-7 this season have only mounted questions and miseries. But things were finally taking an upturn when the Tigers ended a splendid winter transfer portal. However, it seems the lead name, Jackson Arnold, might not be well-equipped to withstand your expectations test.

Arnold, with 1,421 pass yards, 12 touchdown passes, and 3 interceptions in 2024, had a mixed starter year. The former Sooners’ QB had to take a seat on the bench in the middle of the season and returned to his role in the final games. While signs were encouraging, he didn’t appear to be a finished product. Did Oklahoma make a hasty call? We are not sure. But if Sooners’ insider Eddie Radosevich is to be believed, it was all because of Arnold failing to cope with the pressure.

Radosevich shared his candid take when he appeared on ‘That SEC Football Podcast’. He said, “More than anything, I think his head was just messed up. It was just [that] everything that happened last year happened so quickly… He started thinking almost too much.” He continued, “And if he can just get a kind of a restart, a fresh slate at a new school. I think he can still play football, and I think he can still play football at an extremely high level. It was just the chips were kind of stacked against him from the get-go.”

So, Radosevich is still hopeful of Arnold making a turnaround and making his presence felt with the Tigers. Will he be able to do that? And more importantly, how does he fit into the massive squad overhaul?

Is Jackson Arnold the final piece in Hugh Freeze’s puzzle?

When you look at the former Auburn #1 QB Payton Thorne, you can already understand that Arnold is a massive upgrade. Then you have another massive upgrade in wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., who came from Georgia Tech and could complement Arnold. Singleton Jr. led his team in receiving yards this fall, fulfilling the potential that he showcased in 2023. What’s more? The total incoming number stands at 14, where these players will try to put a plug in the holes and at least give Freeze a chance at bettering the record. But the bigger the restricting project, the larger the scrutiny.

Bo Wallace, softening his stance on Freeze, declared, “A Hugh Freeze offense with a guy that can run the football. Like they just signed in Jackson Arnold. They can now play 11 on 11 instead of 10 on 11 all the time with the quarterback run game. I think he’s a perfect fit for what Coach Freeze really wants to do.”

So, the onus lies on Arnold to make Freeze’s offensive system run like a well-oiled machine. Will he be able to do it? He definitely has the skills. All he needs is temperament and patience. Auburn will surely be a side to watch with the addition of Arnold and 13 other new recruits. How far they can go is something we’ll see.