UNLV has secured a commitment from former Auburn and Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, a five-star recruit out of high school, the program announced Wednesday. Arnold, who entered the transfer portal after one season with the Tigers, gives the Rebels a proven dual-threat option under center.
Coach Dan Mullen expressed enthusiasm about adding Arnold, calling him a tough, physical runner with a strong arm. “He’s mentally and physically tough, and that puts him more into the category for me than a skill set,” Mullen said.
Arnold, 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, played two seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Auburn. In his college career, he has thrown for 3,293 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 871 yards and 12 scores. Last season at Auburn, he passed for 1,309 yards and six touchdowns.
The Rebels needed quarterback depth after starter Anthony Colandrea entered the portal and later committed to Nebraska. UNLV also returns Alex Orji, a Michigan transfer who missed most of last season with a leg injury. Mullen said Orji is recovering well and should be throwing during spring practice.
“We always have competition,” Mullen said. “We’re competing every day in our program.”
In other roster news, linebacker Justin Flowe, who previously played at Oregon and Arizona, will enter the transfer portal after an unproductive stint with the Rebels.
