OU's Jackson Arnold is adjusting well in spring workouts. 'Football's really easy for him'

NORMAN — Brent Venables has spent plenty of time around high-profile freshmen quarterbacks.

Venables served as Clemson's defensive coordinator from 2012-21. He was there for the arrival of quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (2014) and Trevor Lawrence (2018).

Both players were ranked as the top quarterback in their signing class and both of them lead the Tigers to a national championship.

But before either quarterback reached the summit of college football, Venables had an eye test when watching Watson and Lawrence in their first few practices with the team.

"Reacting on instinct," Venables said. "That’s what you’re looking for. Here comes the pressure. They know it’s coming. Do they cave in or do they stand there strong? And are they delivering the ball?"

Jackson Arnold has passed Venables' eye test.

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The five-star freshman is ranked as the top quarterback in his class, and he's well to the college level during OU's first few spring workouts.

"Jackson has had a really good first couple of weeks," Venables said. "I’ve been really pleased with him. He’s thrown guys open. He’s thrown with anticipation. He’s made good decisions. ... He’s beyond the learning curve when it comes to the mental side of it.

"Football’s really easy for him, even at this level."

Arnold admits that he's making the transition to college football look easier than it really is.

"It’s not easy learning this offense," Arnold said. "It’s not easy going out and playing in this offense. I’m just taking it a day at the time."

Most freshmen struggle to adjust to OU's fast-paced offense, but that isn't a problem for Arnold.

The 6-foot-1, 206-pound quarterback comes from an uptempo offense at Denton Guyer High School in Denton, Texas. The Wildcats averaged 46 points per game last season with Arnold under center.

Instead, Arnold says the biggest adjustment for him is the intensity of OU's practices.

"In high school, we never did too much of offense versus defense," Arnold said. "I feel like here, that’s all we do. It’s straight competition 24/7. I like that a lot. It’s only going to make me better."

Fortunately for Arnold, he won't be thrown into the fire at OU.

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The freshman is expected to redshirt this season. He'll get to learn under the tutelage of redshirt senior Dillon Gabriel, who's back with the Sooners after throwing for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.

And while the two only have a few practices together under their belts, Arnold is soaking up all he can from Gabriel.

"He doesn’t get flustered too much," Arnold said of Gabriel. "He’s very, very good in the pocket and just kind of getting through his reads. If a read isn’t there, he’s going to get down to his back and just kind of work through the plays and just keeping the ball away from the defense. He’s preventing turnovers at all costs."

Arnold also has more time to adjust to college ball.

As an early enrollee, Arnold is able to practice with OU in the spring as opposed to joining the team in the summer. That extra time is crucial, as Arnold has quickly learned.

"I never realized how much of a benefit it truly was until a month in," Arnold said. "I thought if I came this summer, I could learn this offense pretty quick and get used to it and learn how to essentially play this offense in the fall pretty quick.

"That’s wrong. I need it. I’m going to need this whole spring to get used to this offense and get used to learning Coach Lebby’s offense."

Fans will get their first good look at Arnold when OU holds its spring game on April 22.

It'll be another test for the freshman Sooner, who continues to pass each one he has faced.

"There’s some things from a learning standpoint that sometimes paralyze young players," Venables said. "It hasn’t yet with him."

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Waiting for Walter

After losing three starting offensive linemen to the upcoming NFL Draft, OU retooled this offseason.

One of its additions was redshirt senior offensive tackle Walter Rouse. The Stanford transfer is a two-time All-Pac 12 honorable mention, and he flipped to OU after originally committing to Nebraska.

It was a huge get for the Sooners, who've had to wait to see Rouse at full strength. The veteran offensive tackle underwent shoulder labrum surgery in December and is gradually returning to spring workouts.

Despite not being full-go, Rouse is already fitting in with OU.

"He was not able to run for several weeks after the surgery," Venables said. "But he’s got a great, hungry, tough-mindedness to him. Really good attitude, and he’s plugged right in with his teammates effortlessly."

Rouse participated in some of OU's drills on Monday.

Even in a small sample size, Rouse has caught the attention of offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

"He’s doing some footwork things," Bedenbaugh said of Rouse. "He’s probably a little more athletic than I anticipated. But, again, we won’t know until we put the pads and really start going."

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Injury updates

Venables provided some injury updates on Wednesday.

Sophomore defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings underwent shoulder surgery on Tuesday. He'll miss all of spring ball, but he's expected to be available come fall.

Sophomore running back Jovantae Barnes also underwent a minor foot surgery recently. Venables said the injury has been nagging Barnes since high school and that it was "a good time to clean that up."

There's good news for Gentry Williams, though. The sophomore defensive back began his gradual return to workouts on Monday after suffering an exertional collapse during a workout on March 9.

"He’s looked good," Venables said of Williams. "He’ll be fine. It’s like riding a bike for him. He’ll get back where he was quickly, and we expect him to make that move better as well."

Venables also said freshman defensive back Jasiah Wagoner is dealing with a pull on his hip flexor, although it's "not real big right now."

Lastly, redshirt junior wide receiver J.J. Hester is working toward a return after missing four spring practices due to a quad strain.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Jackson Arnold is adjusting well in spring workouts