Jackson Arnold Reportedly Eyeing UNLV for Fresh Start

Jackson Arnold’s winding college football path may soon take another turn — and this one could be the reset he desperately needs. The former five-star quarterback, once viewed as a future star in the sport, is reportedly considering a move to UNLV after a difficult stretch that included stops at Oklahoma and Auburn.

According to CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz, UNLV has “emerged as an early team to watch” in the transfer sweepstakes for Arnold . Zenitz noted that Jackson Arnold has made 18 career starts split between Oklahoma and Auburn and entered the transfer portal shortly after Auburn’s rough 2025 season came to an end .

Jackson Arnold’s potential move would mark a major change for a player who entered college football with sky-high expectations. He was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2023 class and earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors while playing high school football in Denton, Texas . Now, instead of competing in the Power Four, Arnold appears ready to reboot his career at the Group of Five level.

The 2025 season at Auburn was brutal for both Arnold and the Tigers. Auburn finished just 5–7 overall and an alarming 1–7 in SEC play, a collapse that led to head coach Hugh Freeze being fired in early November . Arnold played in 10 games and completed 63.3% of his passes for 1,309 yards, throwing six touchdowns against two interceptions . While those numbers were modest, they don’t fully capture what he dealt with.

Auburn’s offensive line struggled all season, and Jackson Arnold paid the price. He was sacked 30 times, including a school-record-tying nine sacks in a 24–17 loss to Oklahoma — his former team . The constant pressure made it nearly impossible for him to find rhythm or confidence.

That’s why UNLV could make a lot of sense. The Rebels are coming off a 10–4 season in Dan Mullen’s first year as head coach and reached the Mountain West Championship Game before losing to Boise State . UNLV also has a clear opening at quarterback after Anthony Colandrea entered the transfer portal following a season in which he threw for 3,275 yards and 23 touchdowns .

Mullen’s presence may be the biggest draw of all. His résumé as a quarterback developer is hard to match. He coached Alex Smith at Utah before Smith became the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick. At Florida, Mullen guided Tim Tebow to a Heisman Trophy. He also helped turn Dak Prescott into an NFL Rookie of the Year during their time together at Mississippi State .

Since taking the UNLV job in December 2024, Mullen has aggressively rebuilt the roster through the transfer portal. By the start of the season, UNLV had added 37 players with Power Four experience, including 21 from the SEC or Big Ten . That bold strategy paid off immediately with a trip to the conference title game.

For Jackson Arnold, the move would be humbling, but it could also be career-saving. A more stable offensive line, a proven quarterback coach, and a lower-pressure environment might finally allow his talent to shine. Sometimes, stepping down in competition is the best way to move forward. For Jackson Arnold, Las Vegas could be the place where his story finally turns around.

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