Jackson Arnold isn’t the only quarterback Auburn is excited about in 2025. Emerging talent and strong depth have fans optimistic about the Tigers’ quarterback room.

When the Auburn Tigers landed Jackson Arnold via the transfer portal, the move sent shockwaves throughout college football. The former five-star recruit and Oklahoma signal-caller brought instant credibility and excitement to a program hungry for stability and star power at the quarterback position. Arnold’s arrival signaled that Hugh Freeze wasn’t just building — he was accelerating Auburn’s timeline for contention.

But as the 2025 season approaches, it’s clear Arnold isn’t the only quarterback drawing attention inside the Tigers’ football complex. Behind the headlines and hype, Auburn is quietly assembling one of the deepest and most promising quarterback rooms in the SEC. Talented underclassmen, intriguing developmental prospects, and intense competition are giving Freeze and his staff a luxury few programs enjoy: legitimate depth at the most important position in football.

While Arnold may be the centerpiece for now, Auburn’s future under center looks stronger — and more multidimensional — than it has in years.

The Arrival of Jackson Arnold: A Game-Changer

Let’s start with the obvious. Jackson Arnold’s transfer to Auburn was a massive get.

Coming out of Denton, Texas, Arnold was one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class. Rated as a five-star prospect and named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, he committed to Oklahoma with visions of being the next elite quarterback in a program known for producing Heisman-caliber talent.

But after a couple of seasons in Norman — including limited opportunities behind starter Dillon Gabriel — Arnold sought a new start. Auburn offered him that chance. With Hugh Freeze’s quarterback-friendly system and a desperate need for elite play at the position, the Tigers were a perfect fit.

Arnold brings a big arm, mobility, high-level processing ability, and the kind of competitive fire that defines winning quarterbacks in the SEC. He’s expected to take command of the offense immediately and elevate the team’s ceiling on day one.

Still, as Freeze has often pointed out in his press conferences, success in the modern SEC requires more than one capable quarterback. The days of rolling with a single, injury-free starter all year long are mostly gone. That’s why Auburn’s depth chart in 2025 matters just as much as its starter.

The Depth Behind Arnold: Emerging Talent

While Jackson Arnold garners the headlines, Auburn’s quarterback room is filled with potential.

Holden Geriner – The Veteran Presence

Holden Geriner, once a prized recruit in the 2022 class, remains a key piece of the quarterback room. Though he’s had limited game action, Geriner has stayed loyal to the program through coaching changes and transfer speculation. His understanding of Freeze’s system and his leadership in the locker room have been repeatedly praised.

At 6’3” with a strong arm and excellent football IQ, Geriner isn’t just a clipboard holder. Should Arnold falter or go down with injury, Geriner could step in with the confidence of the coaching staff and teammates alike. In many programs, he’d be battling for a starting role. At Auburn, he gives the team a high-floor insurance policy.

Walker White – The Future Face?

Among Auburn’s younger quarterbacks, none have sparked more excitement than Walker White.

A four-star recruit in the 2024 class out of Little Rock Christian (Arkansas), White possesses the physical tools to become the next great Auburn quarterback. At 6’3”, 225 pounds, he combines prototypical size with dual-threat ability and a fearless mentality. During spring camp, coaches were impressed with his ability to push the ball downfield and pick up the offense quickly.

While 2025 may still be too soon for White to start, his presence creates real competition. More importantly, his development under Freeze and quarterbacks coach Kent Austin gives Auburn fans hope that even after Arnold’s time in orange and blue is done, the program will be in good hands.

A Changing QB Culture Under Hugh Freeze

It wasn’t long ago that Auburn’s quarterback position was a revolving door of transfers, inconsistencies, and unmet expectations. From Bo Nix’s turbulent tenure to the unsuccessful attempts at patching the position with short-term solutions like T.J. Finley, Robby Ashford, and Payton Thorne, Auburn simply couldn’t find the right formula.

Enter Hugh Freeze.

Freeze has always been known as a quarterback developer. At Ole Miss, he elevated Bo Wallace into a top-tier SEC passer and helped Chad Kelly lead the conference in passing yards. At Liberty, he turned Malik Willis — a transfer from Auburn, ironically — into an NFL draft pick.

At Auburn, Freeze’s approach has been methodical. He’s recruiting high-upside quarterbacks, emphasizing competition in every practice rep, and establishing an identity for the offense that leans into tempo, creativity, and adaptability. The result is a quarterback room that’s deeper and more prepared than any Auburn has seen in the past decade.

Multiple Styles, One System

Another reason for optimism: Auburn’s quarterbacks bring different styles, and Freeze’s system allows for flexibility.

• Jackson Arnold is a poised, pocket-passing technician with underrated mobility.

• Holden Geriner is a traditional dropback passer who can work within the structure of the offense.

• Walker White is a modern dual-threat QB who can make plays off-script and on the move.

This diversity gives the coaching staff multiple options depending on game flow, injuries, or future planning. It also makes Auburn harder to prepare for, especially when considering how Freeze likes to tweak game plans based on matchups.

The days of Auburn being one-dimensional or handcuffed by poor quarterback play are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The Recruiting Pipeline

Freeze isn’t stopping with the current group. Auburn continues to aggressively pursue top quarterback talent in future classes, signaling that the staff doesn’t intend to rest on its laurels.

The 2026 and 2027 recruiting cycles are already in motion, with the Tigers in conversations with multiple blue-chip QBs across the Southeast and beyond. The strategy is clear: build a sustainable, year-to-year quarterback pipeline that allows Auburn to compete with Georgia, Alabama, and LSU — not just occasionally, but consistently.

In the NIL era, that consistency matters. Top quarterbacks want to know they’re not stepping into chaos. With Arnold at the helm, White waiting in the wings, and a strong development track record, Auburn is beginning to build the kind of QB culture that attracts — and retains — elite talent.

The Importance of Competition

Freeze has emphasized competition as a core value of the quarterback room. There are no guaranteed jobs, no handouts, and no favoritism. Even with Arnold likely to start, every quarterback is expected to push themselves and each other every day.

That mindset creates resilience. Should Arnold miss time due to injury or performance dips, Auburn has options. And those options have been battle-tested in practice by the presence of a high-caliber starter.

This is how elite quarterback rooms are built. Alabama had it with Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Jalen Hurts. Georgia with Jake Fromm, Justin Fields, and later Carson Beck. Depth breeds strength — and Auburn is finally catching up.

Why It Matters in 2025

The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining year for Hugh Freeze’s Auburn tenure. With a reloaded roster, rising expectations, and a demanding SEC schedule that includes Texas and Oklahoma joining the conference, there’s no room for error.

Quarterback play will determine Auburn’s trajectory.

If Arnold delivers on his potential, Auburn could compete for a top-three spot in the SEC. If someone else needs to step in, the Tigers have legitimate options. That level of preparedness is rare — and it could be the difference between another middling year and a breakout campaign.

More importantly, fans, boosters, and recruits are watching. A stable, productive quarterback room is a sign that Auburn is becoming what it claims to be: a perennial contender.

Final Thoughts: A Quarterback Renaissance

For years, Auburn football has been defined by turbulence under center. From flashes of greatness to stretches of mediocrity, the program has lacked the steady, high-level quarterback play needed to compete at the highest levels of the SEC.

But in 2025, that narrative is shifting.

Jackson Arnold brings star power and immediate impact. Holden Geriner offers experience and dependability. Walker White represents the future. Together, they form one of the most well-rounded, promising quarterback rooms in the conference.

This isn’t just about one transfer changing the program. It’s about a cultural shift — one that Hugh Freeze is engineering brick by brick.