Terrion Arnold confirms interest in playing basketball at Alabama is gone

Terrion Arnold is entering his second season as a starting cornerback for Alabama. Continually one of the best position groups in Tuscaloosa, Arnold emerged as a youngster and is now holding down a spot opposite of Kool-Aid McKinstry. Even so, football has not been the only option Arnold had available to him during in college days.

When originally enrolling, basketball was part of the plan for Arnold. He was a super athlete coming out of high school and was going to play for head coach Nate Oats. However, after not being on the 2022-2023 roster, Arnold has said there will be no basketball in his future. Football is the main point of focus moving forward.

“I followed the team, they did a tremendous job,” Arnold said. “But that’s not on my radar anymore. Strictly focused on football.”

Alabama had one of its best-ever basketball seasons, winning both the SEC regular season and tournament championship. Oats led the team to a Sweet Sixteen and despite a loss, the program has a bright future. Unfortunately, Arnold is not part of those plans.

Arnold appeared in 11 games during his redshirt freshman season, making seven starts. He recorded 45 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and recorded an interception against Texas A&M. Facing the Aggies was his best performance of the season, also making the game-winning play on the goal line.

Basketball was in the plans for Arnold as recently as the summer. Back in June, the defensive back admitted he just started focusing on football but wanted to get back on the court this season. He would have played alongside the like of Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney.

“I just talked to Coach Oats the other day,” Arnold said. “He was like ‘so, we talked about you doing it last year’ and I was like ‘Coach, I had to find my groove but I’m going to do it this year. I’m going to play this year for real.’”

Instead, Arnold will have to settle for playing with his fellow defensive backs. It’s not a bad group to be a part of, especially with the history Alabama has under head coach Nick Saban. If Arnold plays well enough this season, he will be eligible to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

A lot will have to happen for that to occur, though. Arnold has a huge season ahead of him — from both an individual and team perspective.