AUBURN, Ala. – Jackson Arnold is Auburn’s all-time highest-rated quarterback based on high school recruiting rankings and brings impressive credentials to the Plains.

Arnold, who announced his commitment to Auburn on Saturday after two seasons at Oklahoma, was 247Sports’ No. 8 player nationally in the Class of 2023. Auburn’s other five-star quarterbacks include Cam Newton, Jason Campbell and 2025 signee Deuce Knight.

Based on 247Sports’ composite rankings, Arnold would be the third-highest high school prospect ever signed by Auburn, behind only Byron Coward (No. 3) and current Auburn freshman Cam Coleman (No. 3). Derrick Brown was the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2016 class.

Arnold, the 2022 Gatorade Soccer National Player of the Year from Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, was ESPN’s No. 3 prospect in 2023 and the MVP of the 2022 Elite 11 Finals.

“Anytime you get these accolades, you have a great skill set,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said.

In two seasons as a high school starter, Arnold passed for more than 7,000 yards and 67 touchdowns.

“The fit that he has for our offense and for Auburn, I couldn’t be more excited,” Freeze said. “He’s a dual-threat guy who understands the RPO system very well and throws the ball deep very well.”

Freeze’s review process reinforced his conviction.

“Everything about him that I have learned during this recruiting process and through conversations with many other people that I deeply respect really excites me,” he said.

In addition to Arnold’s arm talent, Freeze sees intangibles.

“A winner,” he said. “He will bring swagger to our offense that will make people want to play at a higher level.”

In nine starts at Oklahoma this season, Arnold threw 12 touchdown passes with just three interceptions and amassed 1,421 passing yards (157.9 yards per game) despite the Sooners’ receiving corps being decimated by injuries.

“His deep ball was very accurate,” Freeze said. “Didn’t throw much this year because they were dealing with injuries at his previous school, so he didn’t have a lot of shots, but when he watched all his Elite 11 and high school competitions, he threw that too deep ball.” as you see at almost every level.”

Freeze envisions a bright future at Auburn for Arnold, whose 2024 stats are comparable to Bo Nix’s at Auburn in 2021 in completion percentage (62.6 for Arnold vs. 61% for Nix), touchdowns (12 vs . 11) and the QB rating (124.8 vs . 130). The following season at Oregon, Nix threw for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 510 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“The face of the program on offense, along with guys like Cam Coleman and the other guys we recruit at this level,” Freeze said. “He’s the type of toughness that I think the Auburn people will really get behind.”

Arnold also threw for three touchdowns for 444 yards in 2024, including a career-high 131 yards, while completing 9 of 11 passes in Oklahoma’s 24-3 win over No. 7 Alabama on Nov. 23.

“When you have to conquer the dirty yards,” Freeze said. “I think about his last game against Alabama where he took the team on his shoulders and found a way to win it with his legs. That touch of toughness he brings to Auburn will make so many people love him.

“Extending plays is invaluable in this league and he has shown the ability to extend plays and make throws on the run. That’s something that will add a lot of value to our offense.”

Arnold’s passing ability fits Freeze’s run-pass offense.

“He’s as comfortable playing the RPO game as any kid I’ve ever seen,” Freeze said. “I’ve seen enough on tape that he has a clear idea. What excites me most is that its mechanics are as good as it gets. We don’t have to change anything about that.”

Arnold’s addition further strengthens Auburn’s roster heading into Freeze’s third season.

“Our expectation for Season 25 is to compete for a playoff spot,” Freeze said. “We’ve had two full recruiting classes now. I think I told you I thought it would take three. I hope we can do it with both of them.”

Arnold and Knight mark the first time in Auburn history that the Tigers have two five-star players in the same QB room.

“Our young kids have to play very well, and obviously we have to play well at quarterback, which makes us excited to have Jackson in that room alongside Deuce and Walker (White),” Freeze said. “Let’s brag about ourselves in Jordan-Hare.”

Jeff Shearer is a senior writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer