Jackson Arnold
UNLV·6'1"·219 lb·4.67s 40Scouting Report
A quick-release, quick-twitch dual-threat quarterback.
The case for
- Snappy, compact release with little wasted motion, capable of driving the ball with velocity to all three levels even on a compromised platform
- Natural quick-twitch athlete with explosive short-area burst who consistently makes the first defender miss when extending plays
- Advanced mental processing in the RPO game with clean footwork and decisive reads at the mesh point
The worry
- Below-average height at 6-1 raises concerns about sustaining clean throwing lanes in an NFL pocket
- Deep ball accuracy inconsistent, with velocity-generated passes tending to sail and touch throws hanging to allow defensive recovery
- Has been benched at two consecutive Power 4 programs (Oklahoma 2024, Auburn 2025), raising durability and consistency questions
Full report
Jackson Arnold is a dual-threat quarterback from Denton, Texas, who entered college as one of the most decorated recruits of the 2023 cycle. A product of Guyer High School, he won the 2022-23 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award after throwing for 3,476 yards and 33 touchdowns against just two interceptions while adding 921 rushing yards and 24 ground scores in his senior season. Arnold enrolled early at Oklahoma in January 2023 as one of the top overall prospects in the class and a consensus five-star across all services. At 6-1, 219 pounds, he presents an undersized but athletically gifted profile with a compact, snappy release and above-average speed for the position. His freshman year at Oklahoma included a 361-yard showing in the Alamo Bowl, but his 2024 sophomore starting campaign in the Sooners' inaugural SEC season was derailed by an OC firing, five injured receivers, and poor offensive line play, resulting in 1,421 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions before a mid-season benching. Arnold transferred to Auburn for the 2025 season hoping for a reset under Hugh Freeze, but another turbulent situation yielded 1,309 passing yards, 311 rushing yards, 14 total touchdowns, and three turnovers before he was benched again in late October following a pick-six against Arkansas. Scouts assess that Arnold is a better player than his circumstances have allowed him to be, citing his good arm, quick release, and running ability, while noting that he is streaky and turns the ball over too much. His release speed grades among the quickest in the 2027 QB class, and he shows strong spatial awareness in the pocket and natural touch on intermediate routes. However, his overall draft projection sits in undrafted-to-late-round territory, near the back of the 2027 quarterback class. Arnold has now transferred to UNLV for his final year of eligibility, where the coaching staff that developed a previous transfer into the Mountain West Offensive Player o
Every strength
- Exhibits strong spatial awareness in the pocket, feeling backside pressure and climbing forward while keeping eyes downfield
- Creates throwing lanes despite size limitations by manipulating arm angles and using subtle pocket movement
- Shows physicality unusual for his frame in the running game, running through arm tackles
- Natural touch and timing on intermediate routes, particularly on deep crossers and seam throws
- Good runner with above-average speed relative to position and open-field lateral nuance (921 rush yards and 24 TDs in final high school season)
Every weakness
- Prone to turnover clusters, turning the ball over at critical moments including pick-sixes
- Still developing full-field reads, with a tendency to lock onto the primary target and miss backside opportunities
- Production has been modest relative to recruiting pedigree (1,309 yards at Auburn, 1,421 at Oklahoma) in challenging situations
- Slight frame and limited weight at 219 pounds invite questions about long-term durability against NFL pass rushers
NFL Comps
The pros whose college production, size and testing looked most like his. The percent is how close.
Malik Willis ’2263%
Jalon Daniels ’2662%Scouts agreeJake Locker ’1160%
Tyrod Taylor ’1157%Christian Ponder ’1157%Of his 20 closest coming out: 3 stars, 2 starters, 9 backups, 6 didn't stick.
Scouts say: Taylor Heinicke, Jalon Daniels, Devin Leary.
Draft Movement
Down 188 spots since Jul.
Where he sits on the consensus big board, each week since Jul. Up is better.
College Stats
| Season | Team | G | Cmp% | Yds | TD | INT | Y/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  Oklahoma | 4 | 61.4 | 548 | 4 | 2 | 7.8 |
| 2024 | Oklahoma | 9 | 57.4 | 1,066 | 12 | 3 | 4.5 |
| 2025 |  Auburn | 10 | 63.3 | 1,309 | 6 | 2 | 6.1 |
| 2026 | UNLV | 6 | 58.4 | 1,145 | 8 | 1 | 7.7 |
| Career | 29 | 59.9 | 4,068 | 30 | 8 | 6.1 |
From our play-by-play, so the yards can sit a touch under the official box score.
Awards & Honors
2022-23 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year; consensus five-star recruit and one of the top overall prospects in the 2023 class; Texas District 5-6A Co-MVP as a junior (2021); led Denton Guyer to Class 6A Division II state championship game