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NORMAN — As you walk into work every day, imagine passing by statues of legends who once held your very job. Cast in their shadows is the standard for success.
That’s life for Jackson Arnold.
That’s the pressure that comes with being OU’s quarterback.
“I feel like you have to embrace it a little bit,” Arnold said Monday after practice. “It’s the history of the school, it’s what makes this program that much more special.”
Four Sooners quarterbacks this century have won a Heisman Trophy: Kyler Murray (2018), Baker Mayfield (2017), Sam Bradford (2008) and Jason White (2003). Two others finished second: Jalen Hurts (2019) and Josh Heupel (2000).
But the former Sooner quarterback Arnold is going to get judged against most is Dillon Gabriel. Not because of skill set, but because of circumstance.
More: OU football assistant coach DeMarco Murray suspended one game for NCAA rules violation
OU quarterbacks Jackson Arnold (10) and Dillon Gabriel (8) warm up before last season’s game against SMU in Norman. Gabriel transferred to Oregon in the offseason.
Gabriel put up huge numbers in his two seasons at Oklahoma. Last season, he threw for 30 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 69% of his passes. Among Power Five quarterbacks, only LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Oregon’s Bo Nix — both of whom will start in the NFL as rookies — received a higher grade from Pro Football Focus.
And OU, in a move that will boldly pay off or embarrassingly backfire, let Gabriel walk to make way for Arnold. Which was apparently always the plan. Gabriel would play two seasons at OU, and then it would be Arnold’s turn. If Gabriel returned for a third season, Arnold would almost certainly transfer. Makes sense, right?
Maybe at the time, but not so much now. Gabriel transferred to Oregon, where the sixth-year senior is…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ou-football-qb-jackson-arnold-120324481.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-08-28 12:03:24
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