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Oklahoma Sooners Quarterback Is Reportedly Transferring Out

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 4:37 PM ET

Oklahoma may need a new starting quarterback in 2025.

According to ESPN's Max Olson, Jackson Arnold will enter college football's winter transfer portal. The sophomore has two seasons of eligibility remaining and is expected to receive "significant Power 4 interest" in the portal, which officially opens on Monday.

Arnold began the 2024 season by throwing four touchdowns in a 51-3 win over Temple, but he otherwise endured a topsy-turvy campaign. The former five-star recruit completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables benched Arnold during a Week 4 loss to Tennessee. Michael Hawkins Jr. led the Sooners to a 27-21 victory over Auburn, but Venables switched back to Arnold after the freshman accrued 148 passing yards and a fumble in a 34-3 loss to Texas.

Arnold hadn't defeated an SEC opponent until tallying 131 rushing yards in an upset over Alabama on Nov. 23. The Sooners cruised to a 24-3 victory despite the quarterback completing nine of just 11 pass attempts for 68 yards.

Last Saturday, Arnold amassed 110 passing yards and 75 rushing yards in a 37-17 loss to LSU. Oklahoma finished the regular season 122nd out of 133 FBS teams in passing offense after scoring 41.7 points per game behind Dillon Gabriel in 2023.

The 6-6 Sooners secured a bowl game invite, but they'll presumably turn to another quarterback if Arnold enters the portal. Unless they're ready to hand the offense to Hawkins, they may need to shop for a replacement outside the program.

Oklahoma at least landed another player at the position Wednesday. Three-star prospect Jett Niu flipped his commitment from Oklahoma State.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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