Brent Venables Discusses What Jackson Arnold Needs to Do to Succeed
There might not be a first-year starter in the country who will face the level of pressure that Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold will in 2024.
The Sooners’ signal-caller will be working with a new offensive coordinator, a new position coach, and behind a new offensive line, all while jumping into what his head coach called the “most unforgiving” conference in America.
Talk about a big ask.
The moment isn’t too big for Arnold though, as the former five-star prospect and No. 3 overall player in the Class of 2023 (per ESPN) has been building for this since his days at Denton Guyer High School. Now tasked with replacing Dillon Gabriel as the face of the Oklahoma program, Arnold will be in the spotlight more than ever.
Arnold started his first career game against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl, tossing for 361 yards and two touchdowns, but also three interceptions. There will certainly need to be some growth this offseason for the true sophomore, and head coach Brent Venables has spelled it out very plainly for his new leader.
“The growth has to happen everywhere,” Venables said. “He got a small sample size of where he was a year ago — some good, some not so good. So, having awareness, good self-awareness, taking ownership, and all of it. The things I need to get better at, more comfortable at, leading or decision making or the timing aspect of it. The mechanics. Your footwork, your eyes, trusting the guys around you, all those things have to get better. So, there’s no one particular area that he needs to improve over the other. Certainly, in the 2024 season, he hasn’t taken any snaps, but he’ll be the first one to tell you he’d go down that same checklist.”
As impressive as Arnold was as a prospect and at times on the field in 2023, Venables likes what he’s seen from the sophomore when it comes to his leadership. Reaching the expectations set before him won’t come easy, but if his impact on the locker room and amount of work he’s putting in are any indication, it’ll come sooner rather than later.
“Obviously feel really good about the type of leader and the type of athlete and the type of quarterback that he’s capable of being, but at the end of the day, your real judgement is on the kind of teammate he’s been, the leader, the worker. He’s been fantastic in those areas since he’s been here. He’s a bright guy, has great instincts, and he’s very skilled. Now, you’ve got to become a great college quarterback,” Venables said.
“So, that’s what’s in front of him right now, but if he’s gonna be successful it’s going to be because of everybody around him. It’s going to be because of a really good defense. It’s going to be because there’s a great compliment of players around him, the offensive line, tight ends, running backs, all that.”
