2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Terrion Arnold, Cornerback, Alabama
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Terrion Arnold, a cornerback out of Alabama. He is from Tallahassee, FL. Arnold was a four-star prospect coming out of John Paul II Catholic High School.
Terrion Arnold committed to Alabama in February of 2021. At that time he was ranked as the 3rd best safety on 247sports.
When Arnold arrived at Alabama he would become a cornerback. In his freshman season, he acquired 45 total tackles with 34 being solo. He only had one interception. But he also had 8 pass deflections. This was impressive seeing that he only played in 9 games.
His role would increase for the Crimson Tide stepping into his sophomore season. Through 13 games he saw over 200 more snaps becoming one of the team’s best defenders. He deflected an impressive 12 passes. Plus, he brought in a total of 5 interceptions to go with his 63 total tackles. He would go on to become a First-Team All-American in 2023. Arnold also led the SEC in interceptions in 2023.
Arnold did his part in the SEC Championship game against defending champions Georgia Bulldogs. He helped lead the way to a victory by leading the team with 6 total tackles.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2021 | Alabama | SEC | FR | DB | |||||||||||||||
| *2022 | Alabama | SEC | FR | 11 | 34 | 11 | 45 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2023 | Alabama | SEC | SO | DB | 14 | 40 | 23 | 63 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 5 | 69 | 13.8 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | Alabama | 74 | 34 | 108 | 7.5 | 1.0 | 6 | 90 | 15.0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Lockdown corner that shadows receivers in man coverage.
- Great recovery speed. If beaten at the line he has the agility and speed to make up ground and get back to shadowing receiver.
- Physical at the line. When in press coverage he uses his hands to disrupt the receiver’s motion within the first 5 yards.
- Excellent awareness. He knows where the ball is at all times allowing him to use his hands to cause the pass break or interception.
- Quick off the line. When asked to blitz he jumps off the line with velocity and attacks behind the line of scrimmage effectively.
Weaknesses
- At times allows too much of a cushion. He leaves about 5-7 yards between him and the opposing receiver. Although he closes on the ball well this could allow top-tier receivers in the NFL to get the best of him.
- Plays physical and is very hands-on down the field. He got away with a few no-calls in college. Needs to loosen up a little to avoid any unnecessary penalties.
- Great defense on the outside, but continues to show areas of improvement while covering the slot WR. Specifically when the play is crossing routes through the middle.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Top 25 Overall
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
There will be 4, possibly 5, cornerbacks that go in the top 25 of the 2024 NFL draft. Two of them will be from Alabama. Those corners all exceed in their strengths. They also all have some areas of improvement. It is possible that Arnold goes within the top 20 to a team like the Denver Broncos (pick 12) or the Los Angeles Rams (pick 19). I do believe Arnold’s teammate, fellow cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, will be the first corner of the board. Many of the teams within the top 20 need help elsewhere too. This means it is possible Arnold slips into the 20-30 range, specifically pick 23.
The Houston Texans impressed many with the season they had under new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans. Ryans made his first NFL draft selection choosing his franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud with the 2nd overall pick. He then made an aggressive move trading up to pick 3 overall and selecting former Alabama defender Will Anderson Jr. Ryans is also a Roll Tide alumni. If the Texans can land a corner like Arnold to pair with rising star Derek Stingley Jr then their defense could be “elite”. The Texans have always been known for a stronger front seven than their secondary. Perhaps, in 2024 that all changes with their secondary taking the next step up.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 1.24 to the Detroit Lions
Arnold
