2023 QB Jackson Arnold Taking Recruitment in Stride
Guyer (Texas) has been a hot spot for Notre Dame offers in 2023. Defensive backs Peyton Bowen and Ryan Yaites added offers in the spring and the Irish have now offered a third prospect from the Texas powerhouse.
2023 quarterback Jackson Arnold camped at Notre Dame in June and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees delivered the good news on Wednesday.
Guyer defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Gallegos loves the fact Notre Dame keeps dipping into the program as it reflects the talent, but also the character of the kids on the roster.
"All of our kids are incredible," Gallegos told ISD. "They're awesome on and off the field. That's a shoutout to the parents who have done a phenomenal job raising them. We feel we do a good job of taking what the parents have given us to help mold them into more.
"Jackson is a phenomenal kid -smiling face and you always see him walking around with a smile."
Now, Arnold's career might not have started with a smile back in 2019. In fact, it probably started with some nerves as his first varsity action came in the 6A State Title game.
"He didn't have a whole lot of snaps last year," explained Gallegos. "He sat behind Eli Stowers, who is now at A&M.
"We were in the 6A State Championship game in 2019, Eli blew his knee out the first series. Jackson was a freshman we had pulled up just for him to experience the playoff run with no intentions of playing.
"When Eli went down, Jackson was the next guy. He got his first taste of 6A varsity football against Austin Westlake. He did what he could do at 14 years old playing at AT&T Stadium in front of 35,000 people. That was his first taste of varsity football and it's not fair for any 14-year-old kid, but he handled it really well. He knows what it's like to be there."
Arnold learned patience, but also leadership working behind Stowers, which will help him at the next level.
"The one thing about Jackson is he sat behind Eli, but he witnessed Kaedric Cobbs, who was our running back and is now at UTSA," stated Gallegos. "He won numerous awards and was a phenomenal leader.
"Jackson got to witness what it was like watching those guys in practice and games. He watched those guys walk down the halls at school. He was able to witness a lot of good things. It's not going to do anything but help him. He saw what it takes to be a vocal leader and a leader who puts in the work on the field. It's going to pay big dividends for him."
The Guyer standout needed help tweeting out his first offer a few months ago, but Arnold has learned how to handle it in stride as the season approaches.
"He's been at the Elite 11 camp and he's enjoying it," stated Gallegos. "He's soaking it all in. He's a two-sport athlete as he plays baseball as well. He did a great job of juggling practice, baseball and spring ball practice in the spring. He's taking everything in stride and enjoying the moment.
"I tell all of our kids to enjoy it because not a lot of kids get to experience it, but also don't go chase logos. They need to chase the best fit for them."
On the field, Arnold has a big arm and deceptive speed, which has somewhat been under the radar as Guyer dialed back the offense in his limited reps in 2020.
"He's very fast," Gallegos said. "He had numerous long runs last season. We stuck him in at the end of games, so you hate throwing it when you're up. There were a couple times where he tucked it or designed runs where he took it to the house.
"Jackson has some good wheels. He has a big-time arm and he can make all throws, but he's also elusive with his legs."
Notre Dame figures to be a player with all three Guyer players and Gallegos couldn't be more proud.
"We have two other guys on our current roster with Notre Dame offers," said Gallegos. "They're ecstatic about it. Notre Dame is a big-time program. Just to have Notre Dame recruiting our kids is big."
Offers: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, North Texas, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, TCU and Tulsa