Oklahoma’s offense could look drastically different next season. Two days after the Sooners tapped Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to run their offense, starting quarterback Jackson Arnold likely won’t be there as an organizer.

On Wednesday, the former five-star quarterback announced he was entering the transfer portal, a source confirmed The athlete. ESPN was the first to report it.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore started as the starter after former Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon last offseason. After leading the Sooners to a 3-0 start, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables benched Arnold in the 25-15 home loss to Tennessee in late September. Backup rookie Michael Hawkins Jr. started the following two games before Venables returned to Arnold for the duration of the season.

After Oklahoma (6-6, 2-6 SEC) lost its regular season finale 37-17 at LSU, Arnold was asked by reporters if there was a chance he would be back in Norman in 2025. “Only God knows what’s going on. “It’s going to happen in the future, man,” he said. “Next week I will meet the new OC, see who we are hiring and take it day by day. But there is nothing that will make me leave or nothing that will stop me from being here.”

Arnold accounted for 1,865 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. If his time in the Sooner Crimson and Cream is indeed over, his lasting highlight will be his performance rushing the ball in the massive 24-3 upset over then-ranked No. 7 Alabama Nov. 23. Arnold ran for 131 yards on 25 carries but threw for just 68 yards on nine completions, leading to a stunning result.

“I don’t think he lacked concentration before, but his ability to stay focused, think positively and just go to work, that’s what he decided to do, that’s what helped him continue to improve and get better again Venables said of Arnold in early November. “This is a young player who, again, has only started a handful of games in college, and so development requires you to continue to be consistent in your process.”

Oklahoma has consistently been one of the most dynamic offensive programs in the country over the last decade. But in 2024, the Sooners hit a snag on that side of the ball. Oklahoma ranked 121st in total offense and 122nd in passing offense, due in large part to numerous injuries to wide receivers. Venables ultimately fired former OC Seth Littrell on October 20th.

Venables is betting that Arbuckle will quickly turn their attacking fortunes around. Industry sources said during Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator search that the Sooners may also be looking for a quarterback. That door is now open, although it is unknown whether Washington State QB John Mateer could follow Arbuckle to Norman. Mateer scored 44 total touchdowns (29 passing, 15 rushing) and threw for 3,139 yards in 2024.

Chris Vannini contributed reporting.

(Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images)