OU's Brent Venables is considered a redshirt for QB Jackson Arnold

Oklahoma's Brent Venables confirmed Tuesday that he has discussed the possibility of a redshirt assignment with sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold, but said the former five-star prospect remains an option for the Sooners in the second half of the regular season will be under the center.

“It was discussed between us,” Venables said Tuesday morning. “What was told to Jackson is we're using you because we need your help to win. But man, he's a great teammate. He wants to be the starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma.

After the Sooners' 34-3 loss to No. 1 Texas in Week 7 with rookie Michael Hawkins' Jr. at quarterback, Oklahoma's quarterback situation remains in focus. Arnold hasn't appeared in a game since he was benched after committing three turnovers in the first half of a 25-15 loss to Tennessee on Sept. 21. Oklahoma enters Week 8 ranked 125th nationally in yards per game (287.7) as the Sooners (4-2) prepare for a visit from South Carolina on Saturday.

After the loss to Texas, Venables said he wasn't considering replacing Hawkins with Arnold as the Sooners went scoreless in the final three quarters in their fifth-worst loss ever to the Longhorns. Venables reiterated that point Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of giving Hawkins a fair shot at the starting job while praising Arnold's response in the time since he was benched in Week 4.

“I think it's only right to give Mike the opportunity to be quarterback and have a body of work that says he's either the right guy or he's not,” Venables said. “Will he learn from his past mistakes? As we know, every week is a season in itself. Each opponent will bring different issues and problems.”

“Jackson was fantastic in every way,” Venables continued of Arnold. “He took it very persistently. And he's ready to play. And if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t still be here every day.”

Arnold has played in four games this fall, meaning he would earn a potential redshirt if he played again in the Sooners' final six regular-season games.

Arnold, ESPN's No. 3 overall prospect in the 2023 class, made his first career start in the Alamo Bowl last December and was named the Sooners' starting quarterback before the season. He completed 59.8% of his passes for 538 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions in four starts this fall before being benched against Tennessee.

Hawkins, Oklahoma's starter against Auburn and Texas in recent weeks, has a 63.4 completion percentage with 458 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. The true freshman also gained 118 yards on the ground and recorded his first turnover on a fumble before halftime against Texas. Through six games, the Sooners ranked last among SEC offenses with 165.7 passing yards per game.

Hawkins will be back under center when Oklahoma plays South Carolina (3-3) on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.