The Oklahoma football program made massive strides in year two of the Brent Venables era, winning double-digit games, beating rival Texas, and posting elite numbers on the offensive side of the ball. Unfortunately, there could be a shakeup heading into next season, with the Mississippi State Bulldogs eyeing Oklahoma OC Jeff Lebby for their head coaching vacancy, per multiple reports. However, Oklahoma fans can take a collective sigh of breath regarding one of their top underclassman staying in Norman. Per Two Plain Sports, former five-star prospect and freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold plans to stick with the Sooners.
Jackson Arnold’s Dad on Jeff Lebby potentially leaving for Mississippi State:
“It doesn’t affect Jackson. He plays for OU” https://t.co/JuIFrqvIYA
— Two Plane Sports (@TwoPlaneSports) November 26, 2023
Arnold played behind starter Dillon Gabriel this season. With Gabriel out of eligibility, Arnold will have the edge on the starting role next season.
Jackson Arnold: Future Successor for Oklahoma Football
Jackson Arnold’s father, Todd, spoke to OU Daily, the source of Two Plains Sports’ tweet, reiterating that the news surrounding offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby leaving for the Mississippi State job doesn’t affect his son’s commitment to the Sooners.
“It doesn’t affect Jackson. He plays for OU,” he wrote in a text, per the OU Daily.
The younger Arnold, Jackson, ranked as the tenth overall recruit per 247 Sports for last year’s class. He placed as the 4th overall quarterback and a consensus five-star recruit. The Texas native threw for 3,383 yards and 33 scores against three picks at Guyer High School in 2022.
Arnold went 18-0f-24 for 202 yards and two scores with no picks as the backup this season. He should take over for fifth-year senior Dillon Gabriel, who threw for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six picks this season.
Oklahoma: Expected to Need a New OC in 2024
Although the expectation is for Jackson Arnold to remain an Oklahoma Sooner, offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is all but gone. Lebby shined as an OC with Ole Miss and UCF before joining Oklahoma in 2022. The Sooners posted monster numbers with him calling the plays this season, leading the Big 12 in yards and points per game.
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