When Auburn returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night, the Tigers will have a new signal-caller. Quarterback Ashton Daniels will get the start under the lights, with Jackson Arnold moving to the bench, according to AuburnSports.com.
The decision comes after Daniels led Auburn to a comeback win over Arkansas last weekend, providing the spark the Tigers needed.
Daniels, the Stanford transfer, completed six of eight passes for 77 yards and added 35 yards on the ground in just over two quarters of action. While nothing he did was jaw-dropping, the offense looked much crisper with him under center, as the Tigers produced five scoring drives after he entered the game.
In his three seasons on the west coast, Daniels posted 4,063 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions.
Head coach Hugh Freeze told the media Monday that this week of practice would be an “open competition” between Daniels and Arnold. Ultimately, Freeze decided that his high-priced transfer quarterback, Arnold, would be heading to the bench.
Arnold has had flashes of quality play thus far on the Plains, but he hasn’t been consistent, which is what the Tigers need right now.
The junior has thrown for 1,263 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions on the year, while adding 270 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Coming into this offseason, Freeze was tasked with finding a quarterback who could provide consistency and lead the Tigers back to at least a bowl game. Time will tell if Daniels can be that guy for the rest of the season.
The 6-foot-2 gunslinger will make his home debut tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. CST. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
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Rory is a sophomore majoring in journalism sports production. He started with The Plainsman in the spring of 2025.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @RorymGarvin
