Brent Venables on Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold's Spring: 'Football is Really Easy for Him'

The Sooners' coaching staff has been complimentary of Oklahoma's highly touted quarterback after the first few weeks of practice.

NORMAN — Of all the high expectations surrounding the Sooners’ 2023 recruiting class, none seem higher than freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold’s.

Arnold was a 5-star, top-10 prospect in the nation and the anchor of Oklahoma’s incoming class. He was always someone they could build around from the beginning, and the early returns are glowing.

"Jackson has had a really good first couple of weeks," head coach Brent Venables said Wednesday at the halfway point of spring practice. "Really good. He's had some great throws. There's a lot of learning that he's doing, looks and pressure and a lot of guys coming after him, different angles and coverages.

"I've been really pleased with him. He's thrown guys open, he's thrown with anticipation. He's made good decisions."

John E. Hoover / AllSooners

With Dillon Gabriel returning to Norman this season, Arnold walked into the perfect situation. Until he’s ready to play, he can develop his game in an experienced quarterback room. The true freshman won’t be rushed onto the field.

"That group of quarterbacks, it's a really good group of guys helping each other," Venables said. "Jackson would be the first one to tell you those guys have helped him pick up things really quickly."

Part of the luxury of having a veteran quarterback atop the depth chart is that Arnold can make his mistakes in practice. Going against Venables’ scheme day in and day out will certainly help enhance his ability to read defenses.

In time, Arnold will be better for making mistakes in practice. Learning when to take shots and be aggressive in Jeff Lebby’s scheme, and when to dial it back and take the easy plays, will be essential to his development.

“He's made some tough decisions, too, some bad decisions that he's had to learn and grow from as well,” Venables said. “But love where he's at, he's beyond the learning curve when it comes to the mental side of it. Football is really easy for him, even at this level. There's some things, from a learning standpoint, that sometimes paralyze young players. It hasn't yet with him."

There's a reason Arnold was the prize of Venables' top-10 recruiting class. He has all the tools to be Oklahoma's next star quarterback, and the process doesn't have to be rushed. 

The Denton, TX, product is coming off of a historic high school career, recording a 28-3 record, passing for more than 7,000 yards and 67 touchdowns — and just wants to learn. When he masters the ins and outs of Lebby's up-tempo offense, he knows he can be successful at Oklahoma, too.

"Whether it was Sam (Bradford) or DeShaun (Watson) or Trevor (Lawrence)," Venables started. "The things that I always look for when things are going really fast, in good-on-good stuff — before we screw it up as coaches teaching them too much, and screwing it up for them — is reacting on instinct, that’s what you’re looking for. Here comes the pressure, do they know it’s coming? Do they cave in or do they stand there strong, and are they delivering the ball? 

"Seen that several times, both in (pass skeleton) and in 11-on-11. Of course, he brings an element running the ball, making decisions on when to pull it, when to pull it down, when to keep your eyes down the field, extend plays. So, seen a little bit of all of that, and again, seen some stuff, great teaching moments, which is the natural progression as well. But he’s had a really good, strong couple of weeks, and some great opportunities to learn and grow."

Last week, it was Lebby talking about Arnold's impressive preparation, and this week, Venables raving about his on-field talent. 

When he puts it all together, his time at OU could be special.