Auburn is searching for a spark after a tough 5-7 season under Hugh Freeze. But the main reason for their struggles? Quarterback play. It was a rollercoaster, and Payton Thorne couldn’t get the job done. However, now, there’s a new face in town. Former five-star Jackson Arnold left Oklahoma, looking for a fresh start—and Auburn gave him one. On top of that, On3’s Pete Nakos ranks him as the No. 3 transfer QB to watch this spring. But here’s the kicker—Arnold just got hit with a 4.3 million dollar QB warning. As of now, while the pressure is real, the big question is—can he prove he’s worth it?

On the March 11 episode of ESPN College Football, Greg McElroy raised the biggest spring question for Auburn—how confident is Jackson Arnold, and how fast can he build chemistry with an elite receiving corps? Then came the warning; a $4.3 million QB comparison. And here, McElroy pointed to Spencer Rattler’s rise and fall, drawing a striking parallel. He said, “Jackson Arnold came to college as the number three overall prospect in the 2023 class. What I would say about Jackson Arnold is that we have seen this before. Do you not remember just a couple of years ago, in 2021, there was a young man by the name of Spencer Rattler that had lit the world on fire in 2020? He was amazing, was great, and then going into 2021, he lost all of his confidence.” Right now, all eyes are on Arnold—can he handle the pressure and avoid the same fate?

Well, Spencer Rattler committed to Oklahoma in 2019 and took over as the Sooners’ starter in his second season, leading them to their sixth straight Big 12 title in 2020. But then, everything changed, and he lost his starting job to a backup who went on to become the No. 1 overall pick and a Heisman Trophy winner. Then, Rattler’s time in Norman was over, but he wasn’t done. After battling challenges with playing time, he made the move in December 2021. He got a second chance at South Carolina, where he reignited his career—and the rest is history.

And now, McElroy fears history could repeat itself with Jackson Arnold. He saw the same warning signs and put it best, saying, “I think that’s what they’re hoping for with Jackson Arnold because it’s not about talent. It’s never been about talent with Jackson Arnold. It’s about playing with confidence and making great decisions.” Safe to say that Arnold has the raw talent, but the real question is whether he can remain composed and perform well under pressure or if he will lose it.

But there’s a glimmer of hope for Arnold. Just look at his numbers from last season at Oklahoma—1,421 passing yards, and 12 TDs, along with only 3 interceptions. On top of that, he even added 3 rushing scores. And ESPN’s analyst summed it up best, stating, “The good news is, I think when you look at the quarterback spot down the stretch for Oklahoma last year, when he was reinserted into the lineup as the starter, he wasn’t a great thrower, he completed just 62% of his passes, but he did a pretty, pretty dang good job learning how to run the football. They kind of played to his strengths, and I think Auburn might lean into that as well, knowing that there are a couple of question marks at running back,” said the ESPN analyst. It’s safe to assume that Arnold has the resources; Auburn’s utilization of them is now the key.

Auburn isn’t placing all of its eggs in one basket, though. Yes, they signed Ashton Daniels from Stanford to serve as Arnold’s seasoned backup. If you go even further, you’ll find Deuce Knight, the ESPN 300’s No. 2 dual-threat QB. Although Arnold is the clear favorite to take snaps, this team’s true strength may lie in its receivers. And in the words of McElroy, “I’ve been following Auburn for a long time now, 20 years as a player and now as an analyst, I think this is the best receiver core that Auburn has had in well over 20–25 years.” Right now, it’s time to see if they live up to the great praise, to be honest.

The gun-wielding individuals at Auburn

Auburn’s receiver room wasn’t particularly well-known in 2001. However, in the present day, things appear different. And Horatio Fields, Cam Coleman, and Eric Singleton Jr. have the makings of a winning combination. Although they have incredible potential, if they live up to expectations, they might become one of the nation’s most dangerous receiving corps.

First, let’s talk about Coleman. His real breakthrough came late in the season, but he finished as Auburn’s second-leading receiver the previous year. Everything began to come together in those last 4 games, and he finished with 37 receptions for 598 yards. “But the productivity down the stretch was what really impressed me,” McElroy of ESPN noted. Next up is Singleton Jr., a Georgia Tech portal gem. In a run-heavy offense, he amasses 754 yards and is a strong speed threat. But he could be even more explosive now that he’s in Auburn’s scheme.

Let’s now explore Horatio Fields. He performed well at Wake Forest (463 receiving yards, 4 TDs)even though he was a part of a weak offense. He thus provides Auburn with a unique trio of playmakers when paired alongside Coleman and Singleton. And McElroy, who stated, “So I think those three receivers make up one of the best-receiving cores in the SEC,” is clearly a fan of them. However, this is the last caution regarding the quarterback position. “And whoever the quarterback is for Auburn, assuming it’s Jackson Arnold, should be very confident in developing a rapport with them throughout spring practice,” said McElroy.

Well, the weapons are there; Arnold just needs to make everything work. Let’s wait to find out.