When Hugh Freeze and Auburn football signed former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold out of the portal, there was promise, but also questions.

Arnold was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, but had just finished an up-and-down season at Oklahoma, where he threw for under 2,000 yards and was briefly benched midseason.

Freeze and the staff liked Arnold’s traits and fit within the offense, leading him to making the former Oklahoma signal caller Auburn’s premier quarterback acquisition this offseason. It can be seen as a risk, but Freeze told reporters at SEC spring meetings that Arnold might just need some confidence.

“He’s got the arm strength, he’s got enough mobility, he’s got a high football IQ, a competitive spirit. Just needed some, probably some confidence,” Freeze said. “I think our receiver room helps him with that.”

Freeze said there were no weaknesses when looking back at Arnold’s high school tape and profile as a prospect, and a boost in confidence might be what it takes for that version of Arnold to translate at the college level.

According to Freeze, Arnold’s confidence already grew during spring practice, where he got his first chance to practice with Auburn’s talented receiver core.

At Oklahoma, inconsistent play at receiver might have been a major factor in Arnold’s struggles last season. The room was ravaged by injuries for most of the season, not always giving Arnold the same or the best group to throw to.

While injuries can happen anywhere, Auburn’s receiver room seems more equipped to support Arnold in 2025. It’s highlighted by returning starters Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons, two talented freshmen who broke out in 2024, and the top-ranked receiver in the transfer portal, Eric Singleton Jr. from Georgia Tech.

Freeze was also asked how much scheme factored into Arnold’s adjustment and potential improvement at Auburn, but said outside of “maybe 10 programs” the rest of the offenses in the country are similar.

“It’s about execution and quarterback play and D-line play, truthfully,” Freeze said. “With the teams whose quarterbacks play really well, there’s usually enough talent around them in this league that you’re going to win your share of games.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m