The Extra Down: OJ Arnold’s Commitment to Family Mirrors His Dedication to Eagles
11/13/2025 11:48:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO – For running back OJ Arnold, football has always been about more than the game – it is about family. Whether for his loved ones cheering from the stands or the brotherhood he has built inside the locker room, every snap is a reflection of the people who have shaped him along the way.
When it came time to make his college decision, Arnold knew staying close to family was an important factor.
"Georgia Southern is only about a three-hour drive, so if we have a bye week, I can go back," Arnold said. "I took a couple of official visits, but after my first visit, I just knew this was the place for me – it felt like home."
Family has always been a cornerstone in Arnold's life. They have been by his side at every level of football, traveling to every home and away game to cheer him on from the stands.
"That's a big reason why I stayed, so they can come watch me play, and I can see them after the game," Arnold said. "It's usually my mom, my little brother and my uncle, and my uncle's the one who taught me everything I know about football. It's special playing in front of him, knowing he's watching me become the player he helped shape."
When head coach Clay Helton took over the program for the 2022 season, he immediately set the tone for the program by introducing his mantra of "Tough. Disciplined. United." A standard that quickly became the foundation of the team's culture.
"You can go to Coach Helton about anything, and he's always there for you – that's something I've really appreciated about him," Arnold said. "The way he cares for us makes it easy to buy in and give your all every day."
The running back room has grown into more than just a position group. It has become a tight-knit brotherhood that Arnold considers one of the best parts of his college experience.
"Our room has so many different personalities, but they all just click," Arnold said. "Anytime we're together, we're having fun, and that's something a lot of people notice. When we walk around the facility, you'll hear people say, 'There go all the running backs.' You can just tell how close we are and how much we love being around each other. It makes playing football that much more fun when you've got a group like that."
That connection was especially strong with former Eagle Jalen White – the veteran he spent three years learning behind before stepping into the starting role himself.
"Ever since I got here, Jalen was the starter," Arnold said. "I tried to be around him as much as possible to learn everything I could before he left. We still talk often – I'll call to check in, and he'll give me feedback after games, telling me how I played and what I can work on. We've stayed really close."
He can also attribute his growth to the arrival of running backs coach Taylor Reed, who joined the program in the spring of 2023, bringing infectious energy and knowledge. Since then, Arnold couldn't imagine being coached by anyone else.
"(Coach Reed) has a way of teaching that makes everything easy to understand," he said. "We always have fun just being around him."
Despite the growing trend of players seeking new opportunities elsewhere, Arnold chose to stay true to Georgia Southern, valuing loyalty, community and the sense of family he's built within the program.
For him, it is not just about football – it's about finishing what he started.
"Once I'm somewhere, that's where I'm at," Arnold said. "I'm committed to this place. Where I'm from isn't a big town; it's a lot like Statesboro. I've always known small-town life, and that's a big reason why I wanted to stay in-state."
As he looked back on his time at Georgia Southern, Arnold thanked Eagle Nation for their unwavering support, saying it has been a privilege to be part of the Eagle family for the last four years.
"Obviously, this being my last year, it's just been an honor to be here," Arnold said. "Eagle Nation is special – everything about this place is great. I wouldn't want to play anywhere else."
Arnold urges fans to show up and be loud because their support makes all the difference.
"When you bring that energy, we feed off it," he said. "Knowing they're behind us gives us that extra motivation to leave everything on the field."
Game 10 will be played at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. ET. Tune in on ESPN+ or the Georgia Southern Sports Network. Tickets are available through GSEagles.com/Tickets.
When it came time to make his college decision, Arnold knew staying close to family was an important factor.
"Georgia Southern is only about a three-hour drive, so if we have a bye week, I can go back," Arnold said. "I took a couple of official visits, but after my first visit, I just knew this was the place for me – it felt like home."
Family has always been a cornerstone in Arnold's life. They have been by his side at every level of football, traveling to every home and away game to cheer him on from the stands.
"That's a big reason why I stayed, so they can come watch me play, and I can see them after the game," Arnold said. "It's usually my mom, my little brother and my uncle, and my uncle's the one who taught me everything I know about football. It's special playing in front of him, knowing he's watching me become the player he helped shape."
When head coach Clay Helton took over the program for the 2022 season, he immediately set the tone for the program by introducing his mantra of "Tough. Disciplined. United." A standard that quickly became the foundation of the team's culture.
"You can go to Coach Helton about anything, and he's always there for you – that's something I've really appreciated about him," Arnold said. "The way he cares for us makes it easy to buy in and give your all every day."
The running back room has grown into more than just a position group. It has become a tight-knit brotherhood that Arnold considers one of the best parts of his college experience.
"Our room has so many different personalities, but they all just click," Arnold said. "Anytime we're together, we're having fun, and that's something a lot of people notice. When we walk around the facility, you'll hear people say, 'There go all the running backs.' You can just tell how close we are and how much we love being around each other. It makes playing football that much more fun when you've got a group like that."
That connection was especially strong with former Eagle Jalen White – the veteran he spent three years learning behind before stepping into the starting role himself.
"Ever since I got here, Jalen was the starter," Arnold said. "I tried to be around him as much as possible to learn everything I could before he left. We still talk often – I'll call to check in, and he'll give me feedback after games, telling me how I played and what I can work on. We've stayed really close."
He can also attribute his growth to the arrival of running backs coach Taylor Reed, who joined the program in the spring of 2023, bringing infectious energy and knowledge. Since then, Arnold couldn't imagine being coached by anyone else.
"(Coach Reed) has a way of teaching that makes everything easy to understand," he said. "We always have fun just being around him."
Despite the growing trend of players seeking new opportunities elsewhere, Arnold chose to stay true to Georgia Southern, valuing loyalty, community and the sense of family he's built within the program.
For him, it is not just about football – it's about finishing what he started.
"Once I'm somewhere, that's where I'm at," Arnold said. "I'm committed to this place. Where I'm from isn't a big town; it's a lot like Statesboro. I've always known small-town life, and that's a big reason why I wanted to stay in-state."
As he looked back on his time at Georgia Southern, Arnold thanked Eagle Nation for their unwavering support, saying it has been a privilege to be part of the Eagle family for the last four years.
"Obviously, this being my last year, it's just been an honor to be here," Arnold said. "Eagle Nation is special – everything about this place is great. I wouldn't want to play anywhere else."
Arnold urges fans to show up and be loud because their support makes all the difference.
"When you bring that energy, we feed off it," he said. "Knowing they're behind us gives us that extra motivation to leave everything on the field."
Game 10 will be played at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. ET. Tune in on ESPN+ or the Georgia Southern Sports Network. Tickets are available through GSEagles.com/Tickets.
Players Mentioned
RB
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