Jackson Arnold is one of the stories of the offseason for Auburn football.

The former five-star recruit transferred in from Oklahoma during the winter and is set to be the Tigers’ starter in 2025. Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby was a big reason why Arnold started his career in Norman, serving as the Sooners’ offensive coordinator at the time.

He was asked during SEC Media Days on Wednesday about what he saw in Arnold and was optimistic about what he can bring to Auburn.

“So excited for him to get the restart and a new opportunity,” Lebby said. “But again, physically, a young man that had every single tool that you wanted to be an elite player.”

Arnold was Lebby’s most prized recruit in Oklahoma’s 2023 signing class, coming to Norman after being named the National Gatorade Player of the year as a senior at Denton Guyer High School.

The two had a close relationship, as Mississippi State was another school that Arnold considered choosing after entering the transfer portal in December.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze sees all the same promise in Arnold as Lebby, emphasizing throughout the offseason that the Oklahoma transfer just needed a reset.

The Tigers will begin fall camp in less than two weeks on July 29. Auburn will kick off the season exactly one month later on Aug. 29 with a road game against Baylor.

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