The Oklahoma Sooners have benched former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, which has led to plenty of questions from fans and media alike.
The Sooners coach Brent Venables announced a day ago that backup quarterback and freshman Michael Hawkins Jr would be promoted to starter.
Hawkins Jr shined against the Tennessee Volunteers after Arnold was benched and brought the game within ten-points. Many fans began to believe Arnold would hit the bench permanently after the way Hawkins Jr played in relief. The beliefs of fans turned out to be correct, but perhaps to an even greater extent than originally thought.
Brent Venables addresses benching Jackson Arnold:
“Jackson’s going to have an amazing future and career. He’s going to play this game a long time and all of that will work itself out in due time.”https://t.co/rXlTepyfXZ pic.twitter.com/BC9rerKPz2
— On3 (@On3sports) September 24, 2024
Venables addressed the media before practice today and was asked about the future of Arnold moving forward. Venables stated that Arnold is ‘…going to play this game for a long time” and that the issues surrounding the quarterback will ‘work themselves out in due time’.
The Sooners coach also stated provided context for what led to the benching of Arnold against the Volunteers. Venables stated that much of the offense for Oklahoma is based upon ‘timing’ and that Arnold had issues developing his timing, which in turn threw the entire offense off. The coach also added that turnovers were part of the reason as to why Arnold was benched against the Volunteers.
With Venables never fully stating that Arnold would have a future with the Sooners, or including the Sooners in his praise for Arnold once he works out the kinks, many fans believe Arnold may hit the transfer portal.
This is what your boss says before he fires you lol
— david (@Davethe_King1) September 24, 2024
so he’s basically saying transfer somewhere else got it
— omsportsburner (@omsportsburner) September 24, 2024
Due to the nature of the game, Jackson Arnold will not be at OU next year. https://t.co/gOSfeVK4vE
— Cincinnatus C./Hey Reb!! (@_Moziah) September 24, 2024
Jackson Arnold’s season is over early, yes.
— eli drinkabeer (@faurotmiz) September 24, 2024
While there is still plenty of time left in the 2024 season for different things to occur, Hawkins Jr may keep the starting role the remainder of the season.
Oklahoma Sooners QB Jackson Arnold Could Consider Transferring Out Barring Major Changes
If Hawkins Jr were to lose the starting job and relinquish it back to Arnold, the quarterback could remain a part of the Sooners’ future plans.
However, if Arnold were to remain benched for the rest of the season, the quarterback would likely hit the transfer portal. Hawkins Jr is a year younger than Arnold, and Oklahoma would have no trouble finding another quarterback in the portal if needed.
Arnold could certainly enter the transfer portal at the end of the season with how the current situation has played out. Hawkins Jr is a running quarterback, and with the timing comments that coach Venables made in question, then the freshman should run the offense in a smooth manner.
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What do you think about the Oklahoma quarterback situation and Michael Hawkins Jr starting over Jackson Arnold moving forward?
For more news and trends in the college football world, follow me on Twitter @JarrettGuerrera