Jackson Arnold shares the change in his mindset as a starting quarterback

Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold is in the driver’s seat in 2024 as QB1, which is quite a different experience compared to merely playing backup.

The Sooners had fifth-year veteran Dillon Gabriel under center last season, and he’s now gone to Oregon, paving the way for Arnold, the former blue-chip recruit, to come in and start in his second season with the program. When asked about the differences between going through practice as QB1 vs. QB2, Arnold explained some major differences.

“Yeah, I mean, I’m a little different. Obviously, I’m not going to be backing up DG this year, taking the reins this year and just kind of having that dog mentality, going in and grinding during the offseason, focusing on ways to get myself and the team around me better,” Arnold said of the adjustment from last year to this year at the Manning Passing Academy.

Aside from throwing the rock, Jackson Arnold placed a huge focus on developing into a true leader this offseason.

“Just really getting a connection with these guys, whether it’s wide receivers, tight ends, running backs, O-line, even the defensive guys, just getting closer to those guys and building chemistry for this fall,” he said.

He’s already become more vocal at practice, trying to fit on that leadership glove despite being just a true sophomore. But Arnold isn’t afraid to chide his teammates when necessary.

“I mean, definitely in workouts and in our drills and practices and stuff, just being more vocal, you know, leading those guys, encouraging them. Not only that, but getting on those guys too, you know, telling them what they did wrong, what they could have done better. Even if I have to rip them in front of a couple people, I have to rip them in front of a couple people.”

Perhaps not a comfortable moment on the field for Arnold, but those are sometimes the required actions of a leader on the football field, and he knows it.

“But just stepping up vocally. Not only that, leading by example too, doing different things on the field, just leading by example,” he added.

Whether Arnold is ready as a player remains to be seen, obviously, but his attitude towards leadership is certainly what you want to see out of your starting quarterback.

“I’m excited for this year, man,” Arnold added to close out his comments. He’s hungry to take some live snaps in SEC action.