Top 2023 QB Jackson Arnold Discusses Notre Dame & Coaching Carousel

Notre Dame is looking to put the finishing touches on the 2022 recruiting class over the next couple weeks, but that doesn't mean 2023 recruits have been ignored. 

Guyer (Texas) quarterback Jackson Arnold‍ had a monster junior season and programs across the country have taken notice. 

Notre Dame isn't one of those programs as Tommy Rees has been on him longer than most as Arnold not only earned the offer from the Irish, but he also camped in South Bend. 

Rees has stayed on the Texas native during the fall, which included another visit to Notre Dame, and now the two are speaking multiple times a week. 

"I talk to Coach Rees a couple times every week and then I talk to Coach (Chad) Bowden and Coach (Marcus) Freeman once or twice a week too," Arnold told ISD. 

"It's a really good relationship with Coach Rees. We're in constant communication and that's always a good thing with recruiting. I'm trying to find a place I like, so I'm not going to waste my time with a coach that doesn't want to communicate. We have great communication and it's a great relationship." 

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder is also well-ware of Rees' history at Notre Dame. The fact Rees knows exactly what Arnold would go through as the quarterback at Notre Dame is unique and isn't lost on the Guyer star. 

"It's definitely a benefit because he knows the system and has been in it," stated Arnold. "He controls it now. It's better for me because I know I'll get top-tier coaching because he's been in that position before." 

The relationships with Bowden and Freeman are new for Arnold. Bowden has become more involved with the offensive side of the ball in recent weeks, while Freeman's promotion has been well documented. 

"He's awesome," Arnold said of Bowden. "I love him. He's super funny.

"It's also good to have constant communication with the head coach. He's a great person and a great coach. I'm super excited for him and his future." 

Arnold's offer list is filled with top 10 programs and it goes coast-to-coast. As the head coach, Freeman's efforts have been highly welcomed. 

"It shows they really want you," Arnold said. "Having the head coach wanting to talk to you means a lot." 

Notre Dame isn't the only school pushing hard as Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Michigan State are also firmly in the mix. 

In fact, Arnold will be in Norman this weekend for an unofficial visit. 

"I have a visit to Oklahoma on Jan. 15th," stated Arnold. "I think I'm going to try to make it a couple more places. I don't have anything else set yet." 

Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is leading the charge for the Sooners as the two developed a strong relationship while he was at Ole Miss. 

The coaching carousel has been extremely crazy over the last month and Arnold saw it up close with several schools recruiting him. 

"It's pretty weird," laughed Arnold. "I was actually talking to my high school coach a year ago when I started getting these offers. You want to fall in love with the place because you're going to have a coach leave. It's like a chain reaction. 

"It's definitely slowed down my recruitment so I can see where every coach goes." 

Rees and Lebby are with their respective alma maters and despite a few crazy weeks, Arnold is pleased with where everything stands. 

"With Notre Dame, it was huge that Coach Rees stayed," explained Arnold. "I talked with Ole Miss a lot and now Coach Lebby is at OU. It's been crazy. 

"He absolutely loves Oklahoma. He played there and everything. It's funny how you see the headlines and the next day, he's the OC at OU." 

The coaching changes aren't the only big news around Arnold's recruitment as his good friend and teammate Peyton Bowen‍ committed to Notre Dame earlier this month. 

Bowen and Arnold aren't a package deal, but it certainly doesn't hurt Notre Dame's chances. 

"It's awesome I could go so far away from home and still have a friend I know," stated Arnold. "He's also a great player too." 

As far as a commitment, Arnold is staying patient and will likely come to a decision following his next set of visits. 

"I still want to commit probably sometime in the spring," said Arnold. "I don't have an exact date. I kind of just want to get these spring visits in and weigh my options. I'm sure it'll be before the summer." 

Junior Stats 
- 296/445 (67%)
- 3,921 passing yards 
- 34 passing touchdowns
- 659 rushing yards
- 12 rushing touchdowns

Offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Michigan State, North Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Penn State, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech and Tulsa

Ranking
ISD: 94 (four-star)
247: 94 (four-star)
Rivals: 5.8 (four-star)
ESPN: 86 (four-star)
Composite: 96.64 (four-star)

Junior Highlights