Jackson Arnold’s move from the Sooners to Auburn, a hop across the Southeast, might initially look like a downgrade for the former 5-star phenom. Trading a blue-blood program like Oklahoma for one that often plays second fiddle to in-state powerhouse Alabama definitely raises some eyebrows. But let’s be real, Arnold’s time in Norman was anything but smooth sailing. After filling in for the NFL-bound Dillon Gabriel in 2023, he snagged the starting gig last season, only to be benched after just four games.

Sure, Arnold eventually clawed his way back to the starting lineup, but the damage was done—the chemistry was clearly busted, setting the stage for his fresh start at Auburn. And now, get this: it seems like Sooners head honcho Brent Venables might be feeling the heat because of Arnold’s departure.

In a recent episode of That SEC Podcast, SEC Mike and Athlon Steven dove into the early college football top 25 rankings and highlighted the risks Brent Venables is facing this year. Coming off a disappointing 6-7 season, expectations for the Sooners remain low, and they didn’t even crack the bottom of the top 25 rankings. As Steven explained, “I’ve got Oklahoma and Vanderbilt and Arkansas just outside the top 30. I kind of grouped them as I was putting together the top 30, but Oklahoma would probably be 31.” With such modest projections, the pressure is on Brent to turn things around.

Now Jackson Arnold’s transfer to Auburn raises a big question: Is he the reason Oklahoma is out of the Top 25? Sure, the Sooners had the SEC’s worst passing game, but that wasn’t all on Arnold. The offensive line and receivers were, to put it mildly, rough. Also, Arnold threw for 1421 yards and 12 TDs with just 3 interceptions and was briefly benched in favor of true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. in September. But he regained his QB1 role in just a few weeks.

Now at Auburn, you’d think expectations would be dialed down a notch. Giving Arnold some stability on a team that’s been struggling might help him find his groove. But the hype around his high school highlights and reputation is still strong. And with Auburn cracking the Top 25 (landing at number eleven in the On3 rankings despite a 5-7 record last year!), the pressure is ON. He’s got a lot to prove in this fresh start.

Auburn’s clearly betting big on Arnold to turn things around. As Michael Katz put it on the Locked on Ole Miss podcast, “Oh boy, you are putting a lot of stock in Jackson Arnold, goodness gracious….I mean, [Arnold] was a huge recruit…Hugh [Freeze] has this reputation as a quarterback whisperer…[But] they were going a little bit too big brain here.” So, while Arnold’s Auburn career is still a question mark, time will tell if he can live up to the hype—and if his departure will ultimately cost Venables his job.

But after losing the standout QB, is Brent Venables sitting in despair, or has he found another rising star to fill the void?

Brent Venables’ QB pick

You have to work hard, sign some top QBs, and hope you don’t get benched—or worse, expelled from Norman. Well, that’s the situation of Brent Venables! Norman has been colder than ice cream ever since Lincoln Riley took off. However, Venables recently achieved a significant victory. The 3,000-yard dual-threat quarterback, who feels like a 4-star, has given Sooner Nation cause for celebration.

Here comes Bowe Bentley, a 200-lb, 6’2″ QB. Bentley has been dominating the Texas defense and setting HS records comparable to Quinn Ewers. This signal-caller isn’t your typical Texas 4-star. His 3,330 yards passing and 47 TDs on the ground make him the kind of player who can beat anyone. And Brent Venables targets this quarterback.

Bentley was over the moon about the OU offer from Venables and Arbuckle, saying, “This is huge for me being a childhood dream.” The hope is quite palpable here. The quarterback added, “Coach Arbuckle has really caught my eye and his plans for the offense.”

For the 2026 campaign, the Sooners are in dire need of a quarterback with Bentley’s dual-threat skills. Now we’ll see if Brent’s recruiting pitch works on this quarterback and if he can get the Sooners back into the Top 25…soon!