Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold is arguably the best defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft. Arnold is the result of when preparation meets character, athleticism, and hard work. Arnold is well-positioned to be in contention to be the first cornerback drafted. I foresee multiple Pro Bowl appearances in his future.
Arnold recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about why cutting on the tape is his resume, playing man and zone coverage, his fun-loving relationship with his Alabama teammates, why Thursday is going to be an emotional occasion, and so much more.
JM: You had an incredible season in 2023. You posted career highs in tackles (63), interceptions (5) and pass breakups (17). You played the best football of your college career. What led to the breakout season in your opinion?
Terrion Arnold: I would credit my preparation for the season first and foremost. I made a lot of sacrifices during the summer heading into the season. I had clear goals in mind that I wanted to go out there and achieve. I knew I wanted to be great. I pushed myself towards that goal every single day.
JM: Success didn't come overnight. You had to wait your turn as a young player behind guys like Jalyn Armour-Davis and even Kool-Aid McKinstry. That’s what happens at Alabama. What lessons did you learn from watching the older guys while you red-shirted?
Terrion Arnold: I learned from their mistakes. When it was my time, I knew I didn’t want to make the same mistakes they made as young players on the field. I paid close attention in those meeting rooms. I was going to be ready for my opportunity when it came.
JM: You watched and learned. I bet you also have amazing stories about practicing against guys like John Metchie III and Jameson Williams. Iron sharpens iron at Alabama. What were those battles like?
Terrion Arnold: Those battles were amazing. Going up against those guys was extremely competitive. That was some hard-fought football (laughs). It made me better to this very day. I’m looking forward to more of those types of matchups in the NFL.
JM: You’ll see plenty of them. Shifting our conversation to the modern day, you had an incredible NFL Combine. I'm not sure there was a cornerback with a better positional workout. You also leaped a 10-foot-9 broad jump. How satisfied were you with the performance?
Terrion Arnold: I feel like it was just okay. It didn’t meet my expectations. I have extremely high standards for myself. It was just okay. At the end of the day, cut on the tape. The tape is my resume. I feel like I’m the best defensive player in the draft. The tape shows it.
JM: Let’s do just that. When I turn the tape on, I see an explosive cornerback prospect with outstanding ball skills. Talk to me about pairing athleticism with technique. In my opinion, you're the most technically advanced corner in this class.
Terrion Arnold: When I sit down and really approach that, I almost play the game as if I’m not athletic. I don’t have to use my make-up speed because I’m technically sound. I’m always in good positions. That means I don’t ever have to lean on athleticism.
That approach makes me that much better. Of course, I always have that athleticism in my back pocket. I can pull it out at any point as needed. But being technically sound, that’s what leads to longevity at the next level.
Honestly, athleticism wanes. It runs off and wears out as you get older. You can play at a high level in this league if you’re technically sound.
JM: I love that answer. Because you’re so technically sound, I have to ask. Bigger receivers versus small receivers. Do you approach them differently?
Terrion Arnold: I like to get my hands on those bigger receivers. It also depends on how strong they are. If they’re not that strong, I can bully them and push them around by getting my hands on them.
Some of those bigger framed receivers, a lot of them want you to put your hands on them. They’re going to use that to turn your strengths into weaknesses.
Those smaller receivers, you have to touch them. If you don’t, it turns into a footrace. You can’t let guys like Tyreek Hill get a jump on you. It could be a long night for you if you don’t approach him correctly.
I don’t really change my approach when I’m guarding though. That’s just a breakdown of my philosophy going into it. At the end of the day, I’m trying to dominate whoever I’m guarding.
JM: It’s obvious on tape. Do you prefer to play man or zone coverage? You guys mixed coverages at Alabama. You’re familiar with everything an NFL defense can throw at you.
Terrion Arnold: I prefer man coverage. It’s special to take another man’s willpower away from him in man coverage. No matter what, you can’t do anything with me in man coverage. In zone coverage, sometimes you get those softer cushion routes and the receiver can find a hole in the zone. They can complete a pass in that situation. But man-on-man coverage, that’s dog-on-dog. Let’s find out who the better player is.
JM: I'll put you in a fun scenario then. Say it's 3rd-and-long with the game on the line. Would you rather be manned up on the opponent's best receiver, or in zone with a chance to make a play on the ball near the sticks?
Terrion Arnold: I still rather be manned up on the best receiver. Obviously, I wouldn’t be pressed because it’s 3rd-and-long. Knowing defensive coordinators and the way they operate and function though, I’m pretty sure we’re going to be in zone coverage (laughs).
You normally wouldn’t be in man coverage on 3rd-and-long with the game on the line. We’ll probably be in an eight-drop look.
JM: You want to be in man coverage, but you know you probably won’t be (laughs).
Terrion Arnold: I’m still a very instinctual football player. I know in that situation though, man coverage is not going to appeal to the coaching staff (laughs).
JM: The pass breakups and interceptions on tape prove how instinctual you are. You had so many incredible teammates at Alabama, but I'm going to put you on the spot. If you were going to war tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would it be and why?
Terrion Arnold: Kool-Aid McKinstry. He would die for me. I’d die for him too.
JM: You guys have amazing chemistry. You were the best cornerback pairing in college football.
Terrion Arnold: We took pride in being the best pairing. We entered every game knowing we were an exciting duo to watch. On defense, you can't always do much since this game is skewed to the offense.
The best thing we had in our advantage was fear. Teams feared throwing the ball at us. We pride ourselves on instilling fear in our opponents. And we had fun while doing it. We would be on opposite sidelines saying, “Hey man, are you getting bored out here? Stay alert out here.”
Those are the types of midgame conversations we had (laughs). We waited for our opportunities to make plays. We used to have full-on conversations during a game. We had fun. It felt like we were at practice.
JM: That’s amazing. We've appreciated your time today. This conversation has highlighted why you’re one of the best prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft on either side of the ball.
In closing, you had my favorite moment of the pre-draft process when a moment of you thanking your mother at the NFL Combine went viral. You're going to realize your dream later this week. When you think of all the sacrifices and adversity your mom overcame, what's it gonna be like sharing that moment with her later this week?
Terrion Arnold: I think she’s going to cry when I hug her. I’m going to have to do my best not to look at her so I don’t cry too. I don’t want to cry. I was just talking to my team earlier today, Shakeemah [PR] and all the amazing people in my corner. Shakeemah and I have a great relationship.
She told me they have something big planned for me on Thursday. I might get a little emotional. I’m looking forward to it. I just want to put a smile on everybody’s face.
