Oklahoma’s Brent Venables confirmed Tuesday that he has discussed the possibility of a redshirt with second-year quarterback Jackson Arnold, but he said the former five-star player will remain an option for the Sooners under center through the second half of the regular season.

“It was discussed between us,” Venables said Tuesday morning. “What was told to Jackson is that if we put you in, it’s because we need you to help us win. We’re certainly sensitive to everything. We’re not with our heads in the sand here or naive about it what it is.” But man, he’s a great teammate.

Oklahoma’s quarterback situation remains under the spotlight following the Sooners’ 34-3 loss to No. 1 Texas in Week 7, with freshman Michael Hawkins’ Jr. as a quarterback. Arnold has not appeared in a game since being benched after committing three turnovers in the first half of a 25-15 loss to Tennessee on September 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 was not considering replacing Hawkins with Arnold as the Sooners went scoreless over the final three quarters in their fifth-worst loss of all time 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 his benching in Week 4.

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

“Jackson was fantastic all things considered,” Venables continued of Arnold. “He’s taken it very hard. And he’s ready to play. And if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t still be here every day.”

Arnold played in four games this fall, meaning he would burn a potential redshirt if he were to play again in the Sooners’ final six regular-season games.

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

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

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