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SAN ANTONIO — Jackson Arnold probably isn’t going to plant a flag in the middle of the Alamodome field should his University of Oklahoma squad beat Arizona in the Alamo Bowl on Thursday night.
He’s not likely to deliver a fiery pregame speech that makes it onto the ESPN broadcast ahead of the 8:20 p.m. kickoff.
And that’s just fine with Sooners coach Brent Venables.
The Jackson Arnold era officially is unveiled Thursday as the freshman quarterback makes his first career start after Dillon Gabriel’s transfer to Oregon earlier this month.
Arnold’s demeanor is definitely different from Gabriel’s combination of Hawaiian Aloha spirit and fiery intensity.
It’s not the chip-always-on-your-shoulder vibe that made Baker Mayfield an OU legend.
It’s not the aloof, above-the-fray yet sensationalistic presence Kyler Murray exuded, or the intense eyes-always-on-the-prize manner that defined Jalen Hurts’ season in crimson and cream.
Instead, Arnold’s presence reminds Venables of another former Sooners’ quarterback.
More: How will Jackson Arnold fare in debut as OU football starting QB in Alamo Bowl vs Arizona?
OU quarterback Jackson Arnold (10) warms up before the Sooners’ 69-45 win against TCU on Nov. 24 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
“When I was a young coach I thought the quarterback had to be like the middle linebacker — rah-rah, emotional,” Venables said Wednesday. “After I coached Sam Bradford on the scout team, who later became the No. 1 pick in the (NFL) Draft, I learned quickly as I tried to get Sam to do it like I wanted him to do it, maybe his way is better. Very cerebral, consistent, same guy every day, puts the work in. Just a fantastic teammate.”
That is what Venables has seen in Arnold, especially in the more than three weeks since Gabriel announced his decision to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jackson-arnolds-steady-demeanor-reminds-111545985.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2023-12-28 11:15:45
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