Guyer senior quarterback Jackson Arnold added one final trophy to his already extensive personal showcase on Thursday morning.

The Oklahoma commit – who has already been named the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year –  was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year during a surprise ceremony at Guyer High School. Former Dallas Cowboy tight end Jason Witten presented Arnold with the illustrious trophy surrounded by his family, friends and teammates.

“We talk about there being a standard at Guyer,” Guyer coach Reed Heim said. “The standard is already really high, and many times, it’s hard to raise that standard. But you are watching Jackson raise that standard for what it means to be a Guyer Wildcat. What I am personally most proud of are not his ridiculous numbers on the field, but the fact he combined that with being a great leader, teammate and student. He is the consummate professional. He’s the total package.”

Arnold is the first player from Texas to win the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award since Allen High School’s Kyler Murray in 2014-2015. Murray went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2018 at Oklahoma and is currently the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. 

As a senior this past season, Arnold guided Guyer to a 14-1 record and district championship en route to the Class 6A Division II state semifinal. Arnold threw for 3,476 yards and 33 touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes. On the ground, Arnold rushed for 921 yards and 24 scores.

As a junior in 2021-2022, Arnold was named the Denton Record-Chronicle’s All-Area MVP and the Dallas Morning News’ Offensive Player of the Year.